Board Self-Assessment
No one oversees a board individually, so it’s important that it take a clear look at itself as a whole. Self-assessments of board members are an essential aspect of the governance of boards and assist in ensuring the board is able to successfully fulfill its leadership roles during turbulent times.
Effective assessments reveal strengths in governance and weaknesses, as well as areas where the board could improve its performance in order to better meet its governance obligations. They can provide valuable information that will guide the board’s attention and efforts for the upcoming year. Boards can utilize an available tool for commercial use or the help of a consultant to conduct its own evaluation. The Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire is a excellent choice for a lot of non-profits. It was created by the Center in 2009 and has been utilized by hundreds of board members across the US and overseas since then.
We suggest that you first determine the scope of your evaluation should you decide to conduct it yourself. Many boards choose to evaluate the entire board, the board leadership and/or specific committees. A clear understanding of the assessment’s goals and the process is crucial to a successful outcome.
Once you’ve determined the scope of your evaluation It is advisable to select an impartial third party to facilitate the process. A facilitator who is experienced can guide the discussion, making sure that everyone on the board feel comfortable providing honest feedback.
Some boards decide to compare their results of self-assessment against those of other health institutions or hospitals. Some databases do not permit apples-to-apples comparisons because of differences in size, structure, and authority.
