The Roles and The Roles and Responsibilities of Responsibilities of a Board Membera Board Member

David Montgomery David Montgomery Nebraska Department of Nebraska Department of Health & Human ServicesHealth & Human Services

In our time together we In our time together we will review the following:will review the following:

Responsibilities of boards

Key elements of good governance Characteristics of high

performing organizations

Public information and

communication

Board evaluation

BoardsBoards

Boards are public organizations

Boards protect public interest

Why Have a Board?Why Have a Board?

Legislative mandate

Represent different

constituencies

Diversity of opinion

Add expertise to governance

Good Governance Adds Good Governance Adds Value to the OrganizationValue to the Organization

Strategic direction

Organization well-being

Financial health

Quality (perception)

High performing Director

To Whom is a Board To Whom is a Board Member Responsible?Member Responsible?

The public

Licensees (potential)

Board and staff

Core Responsibilities or Core Responsibilities or Duties of Board MembersDuties of Board Members

Duty of care

Duty of loyalty

Duty of obedience

Duty of Care = Unity of Duty of Care = Unity of AccountabilityAccountability

Legislative mandate for public protection

Finance

Organizational well-being

Duty of Loyalty = Unity of Duty of Loyalty = Unity of DirectionDirection

Vision

One Voice

• Majority speaks

• Achieve consensus where possible

• Accept decisions made by Board

Conflict of interest

Duty of Obedience = Unity Duty of Obedience = Unity of Commandof Command

Statute

Bylaws

Rules of order

Code of conduct

Code of ConductCode of Conduct

What is it?

Why have it?

Conflict of InterestConflict of Interest

What is it?

What do you do about it?

Examples

Key Behaviors of Board Key Behaviors of Board MembersMembers

Know your role• Professional member• Public and other members

Know your board• Statutes and regulations• Governance structure• Current issues• Relationships• Personalities

Key Behaviors of Board Key Behaviors of Board Members (Continued)Members (Continued)

Know your duties• Apply qualifications for entry• Administer examinations• Promulgate rules and regulations• Carry out disciplinary actions• Care for the organization

Attend

Listen

Ask probing questions

(respectfully)

Key Behaviors of Board Key Behaviors of Board Members (Continued)Members (Continued)

Be objective

Respect confidentiality

Declare conflicts of interest

Speak with one voice

Stay out of operations

Demand excellence

What to do with a disruptive member?

High-performing High-performing organizations have:organizations have:

One Board

One Director

One vision

One voice

High-performing High-performing organizations:organizations:

Make decisions in good faith

• Evidence-based

• Consistent

• Free of conflict of interest

• Transparent process

Public InformationPublic Information

Laws

Decisions taken under statute

Governance process

Closed or executive session

Increased pressure toward public disclosure

Benefits of an informed public

Benefits of an informed profession

Building and maintaining strong relationships with:

• Licensees

• Public

• Elected officials

• Other boards/agencies

• Media

Go the Extra MileGo the Extra Mile

Build interest in board affairs among non-traditional constituencies (church groups, AARP, PTO, LWV, etc.)

Seek out public speaking opportunities

Write letters to local newspapers to solicit input on board affairs and issues

Write a general interest article for a local newspaper

Get to know your state legislators

Options for Evaluating Options for Evaluating Board PerformanceBoard Performance

Meeting evaluation

Annual Board evaluation

Self evaluation

Peer evaluation

Focal Points for Board Focal Points for Board EvaluationEvaluation

Measuring performance

Achieving strategic goals

Public reporting

Adherence to statute, bylaws,

policies

SummarySummary

Responsible to many

Governance not operations

Strive for excellence

Build public trust

Evaluate to improve

Speaker Contact Speaker Contact InformationInformation

David Montgomery

Administrator for Research, Policy and

Quality Improvement

Nebraska Department of

Health and Human Services

dave.montgomery@nebraska.gov

Thank YouThank You