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observation_paper.docxObservation Paper
The board of directors, plays a key role in determining the success of the organization. An effective board can make the organization better because it provides strategic leadership to the organization. When a board lead the organization in the right direction always is not too difficult to bring new blood into the organization, thus make the organization become more powerful (Kaiser, 2013). The position of every director in the board is strong. They are able to make the decisions and actions that determine the long-run performance of an organization, they also take in charge of the development of inner resources and the improvement of the functions to the organization (Agid, 2007). In a nut shell, the performance of an organization is affected by the quality of the board of directors and governance.
“There are twelve helpful principles of governance: Constructive partnership, mission-driven, strategic thinking, culture of inquiry, independent-mindedness, ethos of transparency, compliance with integrity, sustaining resources, results-oriented, intentional board practices, continuous learning, revitalization” (Aderson, 2006). These principles can be used in an organization which provided an orientation packet and presentation to the board, used to guide the board to the right direction to make an improvement, and used to enhance the effectiveness and performance of the board. With all that mentioned above, a truly productive board understands its role and responsibilities in the context of the entire organization, and is willing to monitor its own performance on a regular basis. If the board continuously make good effort on track, there is a bright future for the organization. Next, I will compare and contrast what I read with two board meeting I observed.
LeMoyne’s Board Meeting
On October 21, I attended LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts’ board meeting during 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm. There were about 15 people in attendance. The board was seated in a circle, with each member able to face each other member. The meeting began with a preliminary discussion of issues discussed during the last meeting and then follow the meeting agenda to proceed. This board meeting was chaired by the president.
General Observation
In my observation, I have found several issues with LeMoyne’s board. First, the board tend to be less diversified. Second, the board not only plays the governance role but also the managerial role. Third, the board did not use board meeting time efficiently. Although during the meeting time the board did bring up many issues, the board did not resolve these issues satisfactorily. Fourth, the executive director did not do work well, the executive director trys to let other board members pay attention to her jobs, but since the board can not do executive director’s jobs, the executive director should her own part well.
Related Literature
Diversity. With the rapid development of demographic and economic, many organizations realized that they must move in new directions (Kaiser, 2013). It is critically important that having a board with diverse in an organization. A board with a diversity of experience, expertise, and perspectives can serve to a board spectrum of the population. LeMoyne was founded in 1963, however the board is not much diversity. As our communities continue to change, if the organization want to exist for a long time and develop continuously, it is very important to have a diverse board in it. Diverse perspectives on the board will improve the organizational ability to qualify the requirements of the changing environment.
Use board meeting time efficiently. Since the members of the board do not get paid for serving the organization, they must want the board meeting time efficiently rather than waste it. During LeMoyne’s boarding meeting time, the board members have brought up many issues and discussed these questions. Nevertheless, the board seems to be hurrying to the next part without resolving those issues satisfactorily. If it is because the lack of time, the board meeting time should be longer so that the board members have enough time to resolve the issues rather than just bring them to the board.
The relationship between the board and executive director. The relationship between the board and executive director is very important. They are roles of governance and management. The jobs of board and executive director are truly separate, no matter which one try to do the other’s job, it will greatly affect the operation of the organization (Carver, 2006). For Lemoyne, based on my observation, the board has involved in executive director’s plans which should pay attention. “It is not the board’s task to save the CEO from the responsibilities of that job, nor is it the CEO’s task to save the board from the responsibilities of governing” (Carver, 2006, p172). The works supposed to be well divided. An effective board comes from two totally different responsibilities which are board for governance and executive director for management.
COCA’s Board Meeting
On November 19, I attended a board meeting of Council on Culture and Arts (COCA) as an observer during 4 pm to 5:30 pm. There were about 19 people in attendance and plus one on the phone. Similar to LeMoyne, the board was seated in a circle, but they have offered some food for board members on the other table. The board meeting was chaired by the vice president and follow the meeting agenda to proceed.
General Observation
According to my observation, First, I noticed that when COCA’s board member gave the reports to the board, the others would actively in the discussion, they are able to recognize problems and come up with solutions. It is particularly worth mentioning that the meeting was pleasant thus it can be seen that the relationship between members is harmonious. Second, there is no president on the board. When the board addressed this issue many members are willing to recommend and bring new blood to the board. Third, the relationship between the executive director and the board of directors is clear, they are able to take their distinct roles in the organization. However, there is no mention of strategic plan in the board meeting and they do not have one.
Related Literature
Teamwork. Teamwork is very important to all of the organization and the executive director is a key role to encourage the board members be very actively involved in the organization (Watts, 2010). A live and active working environment can make the board work more efficiently. It's worthwhile to note that it is easier to have competent persons on the board than to make them as a team for good governance (Turbibe, 2012). With this proactive interaction relationship between the boards, as COCA’s board members were actively in the discussion, the board of governance will improve to a certain extent. In simple terms, if the board members does not work together, it is not exactly a teamwork.
Ensure board members feel useful. To maintain an effective board of directors, make the board members feel useful also a very important condition (Kaiser, 2013). When a member feels good about being a member in it and has contributed a significant amount of contribution to the organization, he/her will continue to serve the organization with their enduring passion and would be happy to recommend to their friends and associates that they join the board. That’s what I saw in the COCA’s board meeting, they show the same enthusiasm when ask to bring new blood to the board. It does take work for making board members to feel engaged, hopefully COCA will continue to maintain this state.
The executive director and board relationship. Like mention before the relationship between the board of directors and executive director is one of the most important topics in the organization. To have an effective organization, it is significant crucial for the executive director and the board of directors to realize the responsibilities with their distinct roles (Carver, 2006). The board of directors primarily plays the governance role and governs the organization, they provide counsel to management but not involved in the day-to-day operation of the organization. Managing the day-to-day operation is executive director’s responsibility (Radbourne,1993). To avoid inhibiting the organization’s effectiveness, this relationship needs to be understand by the board of directors and the executive director. In this respect, COCA did a very good job.
Strategic plan. A strategic plan contains a large amount of information to support the organization and it need to be; it focuses on fundamental choices and a commitment of resources for chosen priorities to help an organization do a better job. Although strategic plan is not a one-size-fits-all way to all organization, it provides a right direction and outlines the organization’s mission and purpose. A Strategic plan can be a tool that is useful for forward thinking and also for the board evaluate progress and changing approaches when moving forward. Determining the organization’s strategic planning is one of the responsibilities of a board of directors, it can not only improve the board of governance but also create the organization’s future. It is the exactly reason why COCA’s board of directors should consider the strategic plan.
Conclusion
While it is true that having the right people on the board of directors is vital for an organization, it is equally true that having effective governance is also crucial important (Shangying, 2008). Once the board members decide to be on the board, the first task for them is understand their responsibilities. For example, determine the mission and purpose for the organization, bring adequate resources to the organization, govern the organization effectively, choose the executive director, etc. In other words, to be truly effective board, board members need to know what is going on and what to do. Excellent board of directors brings excellent governance, excellent governance brings excellent organization.
Nevertheless, some organizations may exist some mistakes board members make such as not taking diversity seriously, confuse the roles of executive director and board, unclear board’s responsibilities. The sooner the board realize these mistakes, the sooner they can find ways to resolve them and lead the organization to the right direction. Otherwise, these mistakes would be problematic for the organization sooner or later.
When an organization is on track and achieved good results, it is board’s responsible that keep forward-thinking and maintain its excellent leadership to guarantee the organization’s long-term development. Keep in mind that new questions will arise as time goes on. As an organization grows and expands, the board of directors grows as well to make the organization achieve success.
