How Does Your Board Measure Up?

Ten Questions About Your Board

How well is your board performing? Please answer these ten questions, click "Done," and you will see your score out of 100. This quiz should take no more than two or three minutes to complete.

Note: The term, "CEO," is used here in the generic sense to refer to the top operational position. The applicable title in your company or organization could be Executive Director, General Manager, Executive Vice-President, etc.

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* 1. Name / Organization:

Name:

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* 2. Do your board members know to whom the board is accountable?

Yes, all board members have a shared view.

A majority of board members share a similar view.

Board members have different views on this.

No / Not sure.

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* 3. Does your board seek input from the people to whom it is ultimately accountable?

Yes, the board regularly seeks their input.

Yes, the board occasionally seeks their input.

No, the board receives input but does not seek it.

No, the board does not seek or receive input from the people to whom it is ultimately accountable.

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* 4. Which statement is the most true for your board?

Our CEO is accountable to the board.

The board is accountable to our CEO.

The board's key role is to advise the CEO.

Other (please specify):

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* 5. Direction or instruction to the CEO is primarily provided via:

Discussions at board meetings.

Written board policies.

Individual board members or officers instructing the CEO.

Board committees instructing the CEO.

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* 6. Which statement is most true about your board committees?

Board committees help the CEO/staff perform operational functions.

Board committees oversee the CEO/operations.

Board committees help the board with governance functions when needed.

Board committees help the board and CEO perform a range of functions.

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* 7. When it comes to written board policies, which statement is the most true for your board?

The board does not have a policy manual.

The board has a few policies.

The board has a mix of board and operational policies, plans, and procedures.

The board has a comprehensive policy manual.

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* 8. What do your board policies reflect? (check all that apply)

Values of current board.

Values of owners or key stakeholders.

Research, relevant information.

CEO/staff input.

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* 9. Which of the following items requires the most time at your board meetings?

Approving/rejecting CEO/staff plans, decisions.

Hearing reports from committees, officers.

Discussions about long-term strategy, vision, or Ends.

Board education and receiving input from key stakeholders.

Assessing board and/or CEO performance.

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* 10. What is your board's primary method for defining organizational success?

Approving/rejecting CEO decisions.

Creating written policies.

Participating in a strategic planning process.

Board has not defined organizational success.

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* 11. How does your board know that the organization is achieving relevant results?

Verbal reports at board meetings from the CEO.

Board members' observations.

Input from customers/clients.

Written status reports from the CEO.

Monitoring reports with interpretations and evidence tied to board policy.

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* 1. Name / Organization:

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* 2. Do your board members know to whom the board is accountable?

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* 3. Does your board seek input from the people to whom it is ultimately accountable?

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* 4. Which statement is the most true for your board?

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* 5. Direction or instruction to the CEO is primarily provided via:

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* 6. Which statement is most true about your board committees?

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* 7. When it comes to written board policies, which statement is the most true for your board?

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* 8. What do your board policies reflect? (check all that apply)

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* 9. Which of the following items requires the most time at your board meetings?

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* 10. What is your board's primary method for defining organizational success?

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* 11. How does your board know that the organization is achieving relevant results?

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* 12. Comments or questions? Please use the space below, and include your email address if you'd like a reply or to stay in touch.