This is our first annual board survey to gather perceptions and thoughts on board experience as you know it. Barbara Rice, Principal of AEO - The Alliance for Effective Organizations has helped us design and conduct the survey. Barbara will also compile the responses.
We will be collecting information from both board members and the ABC Agency leadership staff who regularly interact with the board. We intend to use the results of this survey as a starting point for discussion about how we make sure our board is developing into the best it can be to support ABC Agency's mission and activities.
Responding to these questions should only take about 10 minutes or so - but your responses are critical. Our goal is to have a 100% response rate among board and staff members. Be assured that your responses will be anonymous. The results will be discussed at the May 4 retreat.
Thank you in advance for your honest and timely responses. Please complete the survey by Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Your responses will be sent, without any personal identification, to Barbara Rice's website.
Thank you,
Joan, Chair, Board Development and Nominating Committee
Function: Member of Board of Directors
Member of Staff
Years of Service: < 1 year
1-3 years
4 or more years
1=Strongly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither Agree nor Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree
Overall Effectiveness
Q1
All things considered, how effective is our board? In other words, how big a role does the board itself play in the success of ABC Agency's mission? 1 2 3 4 5
Board Composition
1=Strongly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither Agree nor Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree
Q2
Our board has representation from the community we serve. 1 2 3 4 5
Q3
The board has the right mix of both new and experienced members to guarantee continuity and new ideas 1 2 3 4 5
Q4 Are there any comments you would like to make about the composition of the board?
Board Processes
1=Strongly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither Agree nor Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree
Q5
The committee(s) I am on is(are) clear about its goals and when we've accomplished our work 1 2 3 4 5
Q6
The format of our meetings, where items from Committee meetings requiring little discussion were sent in advance and voted on as a package, is a good way to manage the board's time 1 2 3 4 5
Q7
Communication between staff and the board is characterized by an open partnership 1 2 3 4 5
Q8
We use our board time wisely -focusing on the issues that matter the most 1 2 3 4 5
Q9
Board interactions are productive and enjoyable 1 2 3 4 5
Q10
The board regularly monitors and evaluates progress toward strategic goals and program performance 1 2 3 4 5
Q11 Are there any comments you would like to make about the board's processes?
Questions 12-24 are for Board members only. Staff members jump to Q25.
Member Engagement
1=Strongly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither Agree nor Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree
Q12
I am well informed about ABC Agency's mission and strategy, services, policies and programs 1 2 3 4 5
Q13
I come to board meetings prepared, having reviewed relevant material sent to me in advance 1 2 3 4 5
Q14
As a member of the board, I know what is expected of me 1 2 3 4 5
Q15
I am a dependable and active contributor at regular board meetings 1 2 3 4 5
Q16
I am a dependable and active contributor to the board committee(s) on which I serve 1 2 3 4 5
Q17
As a member of the board, my opinions seem to count 1 2 3 4 5
Q18
Over the past year I have given ABC Agency a personal, meaningful financial donation 1 2 3 4 5
Q19
Over the past year I have helped ABC Agency with fundraising 1 2 3 4 5
Q20
Over the past year, I have partnered with staff in other ways, such as providing access to potential volunteers, advising staff in my area of expertise, acting as a sounding board for the Executive Director or other staff 1 2 3 4 5
Q21
Overall, I feel a sense of accomplishment by serving on the board 1 2 3 4 5
Q22 Are there any comments you would like to make about the engagement of members on the board?
1=Strongly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither Agree nor Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree
Board Processes
1=Strongly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither Agree nor Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree
Q23
I feel that tasks or projects are defined well enough for me to decide whether or not to sign on to support them 1 2 3 4 5
Q24
We evaluate our Executive Director's performance annually against mutually agreed upon performance goals, gathering input from a range of relevant perspectives 1 2 3 4 5
Questions 25-29 are for Staff members only. Board members jump to Q30.
Member Engagement
1=Strongly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither Agree nor Disagree 4=Agree 5=Strongly Agree
Q25
Board members are dependable and active contributors to regular board meetings 1 2 3 4 5
Q26
Board members are dependable and active contributors to the committee(s) on which I serve 1 2 3 4 5
Q27
Board members are helpful with fundraising 1 2 3 4 5
Q28
Board members partner with staff in non-fundraising ways, such as providing access to potential volunteers, advising staff in their area of expertise, acting as a sounding board for the Executive Director or other staff 1 2 3 4 5
Q29 Are there any comments you would like to make about the engagement of members on the board?
All members complete remaining questions.
Q30 If you could change one thing about the way our board functions in order to have the most positive impact on the agency, what would it be?
Q31 As I reflect back on my engagement with the board over the past year, I feel especially good about...
Q32 As I look ahead to next year, what I would like to do more of, less of, or do differently is...
Q33 Any other comments you would like to make?
Please review to determine if you have answered all of the questions. If you feel that you cannot complete the survey to your satisfaction at this time, close your browser, begin anew complete the survey before the close of work on 4/6/2010.
After pressing the "Submit" button, if your form is complete (no
further questions requiring attention), a screen will appear stating
that your submission has been received and is being
processed. Once this screen appears, please, DO NOT press the button again!
