- Does our vision matter?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has articulated a vision and mission that are important today.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we set a goal for the good we can do?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has defined concrete results for the community change we will hold ourselves accountable for.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree | - How well do we know our community’s needs?
| Your Evaluation
Our board regularly conducts or reviews research to gain a better understanding of our community and its needs.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do shared values guide our practices?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has clearly articulated the values that guide our decisions and actions.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Are we prepared to respond to a changing world?
| Your Evaluation
Our board regularly considers the effect that outside changes could have on the organization.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we think and act strategically?
| Your Evaluation
Our board regularly discusses how to create break-throughs.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we know if our programs are having an impact?
| Your Evaluation
Our board is able to measure whether our organization is having a significant impact on the community.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - What kind of stewards are we?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has identified the tangible and intangible assets of our organization that need to be protected or grown.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Is our organization trust worthy and worthy of support?
| Your Evaluation
I would feel confident letting my mother make a significant gift to our organization.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we hired the best CEO for the job?
| Your Evaluation
I am confident we have the right CEO for the organization.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we regularly evaluate our CEO?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has clearly stated it’s expectations of the CEO and regularly discusses with him or her how well those expectations are being met.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we given our CEO the necessary support?
| Your Evaluation
Our board delivers on its promises to the CEO
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree | - Is our relationship with staff honest, collegial, and within appropriate boundaries?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has a productive and harmonious relationship with the staff.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Does our board ask the right financial questions?
| Your Evaluation
I understand and can verify our organization’s financial condition.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we built a secure financial base?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has prepared for the organization’s current and long-term financial stability.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we report our finances accurately to the public?
| Your Evaluation
I am confident that our financial reports to the public are accurate and complete.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Are we getting accurate information?
| Your Evaluation
Our board verifies that the information we receive is accurate and that board mandates are carried out.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we managed risks to our organization and its people?
| Your Evaluation
Our board can demonstrate our assets (tangible and intangible are protected from fraud, abuse, or negligence.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we prevent conflicts of interest from influencing decisions?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has sufficient controls in place to prevent director or staff self-dealing or conflicts of interest.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - How good is our board?
| Your Evaluation
I feel a great sense of reward serving on this board.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we recruit the directors we want and need?
| Your Evaluation
Our board nominates only those directors who meet carefully considered qualifications.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we trained directors so that they can make a meaningful difference?
| Your Evaluation
Our education and training programs prepare us to contribute meaningfully.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we follow our bylaws?
| Your Evaluation
Our board carefully observes the rules and procedures described in the bylaws.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we make policy instead of one-time decisions?
| Your Evaluation
Our board creates policies that guide future board and staff decisions.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Does our board govern and resist the temptation to manage?
| Your Evaluation
Directors focus on board matters and do not inappropriately interfere in staff work.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do our committees improve the functioning of our board?
| Your Evaluation
Board committees advance the work of the board.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we avoid rubber-stamping and decision-reworking?
| Your Evaluation
Policies and substantive decisions are carefully considered and made by the full board, except in cases of extreme emergency.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Are our meetings productive?
| Your Evaluation
Board meetings focus on substantive issues that are critical for directors to discuss.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have 100 percent of our directors made a gift?
| Your Evaluation
I am confident that all board members make a personally meaningful financial contribution.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we decided the board’s role in fundraising?
| Your Evaluation
Our board has decided which fundraising responsibilities, if any, we will hold ourselves accountable for.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we have a way to evaluate our own performance as a board?
| Your Evaluation
The board conducts a thorough evaluation of its own performance at least once-a-year.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Have we made board excellence someone’s priority?
| Your Evaluation
Directors feel appreciated for their service to the board.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we appreciate our directors for what they do?
| Your Evaluation
Directors feel appreciated for their service to the board.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
| - Do we act with courage and conviction?
| Your Evaluation
I have the courage to act for the good of the organization, above all else.
__ Strongly Agree __ Agree __ Disagree __Strongly Disagree
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Source: Gifford G, How Are We Doing, Emerson and Church Publishers, 2005. Used with Permission.
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