[CSL board] thoughts: strategic (meta)

[Josh Harding]

I'd say that looking at other the role of other organizations' boards would
be educational, but not something we'll end up modeling our board on. The
lack of transparency you mentioned is a great example of a way that we as a
BOD operate differently from most others - I seriously doubt most
organizations have public archives of the BOD listserv...

Laura also works extensively with other NPO's - perhaps she can provide some
insight as to the general template of a board's role.



On 10/16/06, Melissa Carino <melissa at bostonwomensfund.org> wrote:
>
> I don't think Josh's proposal has been seconded yet so I second it.  I
> think it is a good idea; however, I personally would not be able to
> participate on the committee at this point as my schedule and commitments
> are kinda out of control for the next few months.
>
> I think what's challenging is that with so few (and busy!) people on the
> Board, it may be difficult in convening a committee meeting, discussions,
> etc.  And I also think it's more effective when the whole Board is together
> in person, figuring this out together.  But it is important to have a
> starting point.
>
> Another suggestion in addition to answering the question, "What is the
> role of the Board?," is to research other organization's by-laws or
> descriptions of their Boards.  By researching best practices, we can develop
> a stronger description of the role of the CSL Board.  I can provide some
> Board descriptions from UTEC & BWF.  I believe this info of any non-profit
> is transparent to the public so maybe we could research orgs that are
> similar to the CSL.  I also have a legal handbook on Boards of non-profit
> orgs in MA from the State House.
>
> Could someone confirm our next BOD meeting - date?  time (6p-9p, right?),
> location?
>
> Thanks,
> ~melissa
>
>
>
> On Oct 13, 2006, at 2:35 PM, Josh Harding wrote:
>
> Hi All -
>
> Dan is right - without an outside facilitator, we are likely to get far
> less
> out of any meetings. Fred is also right - a meeting in which all could
> attend is highly preferable to multiple meetings.
>
> As such, I think (and it truly pains me to say this) it's advisable to
> cancel the strategic planning meetings in October. Although I got a
> schedule
> everyone could live with, I didn't do it in time to adequately organize
> the
> meetings.
>
> I don't think a special meeting of all members of the BOD is going to
> happen. It's been 'in the works' for almost a year now. If someone else
> wants to take up this cause, feel free, but I'd like to propose a
> different
> approach.
>
> I move for the creation of a committee for strategic planning around the
> ideas below. This calls for a second.
>
> This committee would present a draft proposal for the amendment of our
> bylaws in the upcoming board meeting. The proposal would answer the
> following question - What is the role of the board? Ideally, it would be
> voted in at this meeting. If that doesn't happen, the committee would
> present a final proposal to be voted in to our bylaws at the 1st quarter
> 2007 BOD meeting.
>
> I would expect the following of the committee (at least):
>    - Have at least one face to face meeting attended by *all* members of
> the committee before the next board meeting.
>    - Each member will publish his/her own thoughts on the matter to the
> board list, and if comfortable doing so, cadre-politics.
>    - Have an active email discussion of options.
>    - Do whatever it takes to get a solid proposal to the next board
> meeting.
>    - Publish progress to the board list so that concerned parties can give
> feedback.
>
> Dan - I'd like to see you as a non-voting member of the committee, but you
> should have the most to say. If this happens, I'll volunteer to be a
> member
> of the committee. I'll take time off work to attend a meeting should it
> fall
> on a weekday. We'll need someone to chair the committee who has the time
> and
> energy to be very proactive about getting results.
>
> If seconded, you are *required* to vote on this in a timely manner (I
> arbitrarily consider a timely manner to include some non-work hours and
> some
> work hours: in this case midnight Monday 10/16). Laura - could you please
> keep a tally on this vote if it is seconded? Also, with your vote please
> state your interest in being a part of the committee, and whether you'd
> like
> to be a leading part of it.
>
> I've proposed votes in the past, and they've fizzled. Some weren't
> pressing,
> so I think people didn't feel the need to vote. If there is a member who
> doesn't vote on this motion, perhaps you should reconsider your ability to
> perform the duties of a board member. This is why: you have pledged to
> 'Participate in electronic votes as often as twice a month'. We have not
> had
> an electronic vote in at least a month. (
> http://www.thecsl.org/go/about/board/#formal)
>
> Additionally, when you signed up, you understood that 'It is not required,
> but it would be helpful if our board members could also: Help plan,
> Contribute to discussion of our internal and external affairs on the
> cadre-politics listserv.' (http://www.thecsl.org/go/about/board/#minimum)
>
> So it is not required, but it would be nice if each board member could
> consider and post their thoughts on the level of oversight the board
> should
> take for the CSL. I'll be posting my thoughts next week. Depending on
> comfort level, that post could go only to the board list, or (preferably),
> to cadre-politics.
>
> -Josh
>
>
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