Board Seeks to Complete Stalled Governance Change Process

Situation

An Association Board began the process of role clarification for leadership and staff as well as updating operational procedures. After almost a year of work, they were unable to conclude the process with consensus on decisions and next steps.

Background

• History as an all volunteer-run organization, which gradually shifted to hiring of staff with volunteers continuing involvement in most operational matters

• Membership growth leads paid staff beginning with a few employees and increasing to 30

• Operational and governance policies required updating to reflect the changing structure of the organization

• Staff leadership turnover created confusion, lack of clarity about roles, and mistrust

• New chief staff executive sought closure to governance changes

Actions

• Reviewed internal governance documents, board minutes, operational and employment policies

• Conducted interviews with senior staff and volunteer leadership to determine respective assessments and goals

• Facilitated special meeting of the board that included discussions about current situation, group expectations and measures of success

• Developed consensus on key factors related to change process

• Prepared summary of discussions with recommended actions to be taken

• Presented summary at debriefing session of the board, confirmed items of agreement

• Held separate meeting with officers and CSE regarding role clarification and recommended policy changes

Outcomes

• Board developed clearer perspective of its roles and those of staff

• Opened discussions about problems resulting from board involvement in day-to-day operations while serving in volunteer status

• Presented a plan of actions to be considered by board to conclude change process

• Previously hidden internal conflicts surfaced, and discussion among parties took place in facilitated setting to assist in resolution of issues

• Timeline prepared for board actions

• Internal policies and procedures reviewed and modifications suggested

• Board voted to adopt change