Youth for Christ Board of Trustees Training 2-Hour Training (December 2010)

Youth for ChristBoard of Trustees Training

2-Hour Training (December 2010)

Introduction

Strong Boards are the foundation for a strong YFC ministry

Some Boards are ineffective even through they are comprised of competent individuals

This training will explain YFC’s philosophy on how a YFC Board should function

YFC uses a “Governance” model of board leadership

Refer to Board Manual Page #1

Purpose of a Board

1. Represents Stake Holders God YFC movement Young people, civic groups churches

donors


Purpose of a Board

2. Leadership Establishes purposes and objectives Selects National Director Fiduciary responsibility Ensures that the organization and staff

are well managed


Purpose of a Board

3. Individual Contributions Time Talent Treasure


Discussion Questions

To what extent does our board represent the wide variety of stake holders in our context?

In which areas of leadership is our Board strong?

What is one area of leadership in which our Board could improve?

Are our Board members making appropriate contributions of time, talent and treasure?

Refer to Board Manual Pages #1-3

Governance and Management are Different

1. Separation of Governance and Management Functions is Essential Boards govern, staff manage When boards manage, they can’t

govern Staff get confused and stifled when

boards try to manage



2. Governance is Directive Boards provide overall direction for the

organization Boards establish the boundaries within

which management will function



3. Management is Specific Boards give direction; management

executes those directives The National Director and staff “flesh

out” the directives in terms of day to day operations

Board members may volunteer in specific management function roles.



How well does our Board do in providing direction?

Does our Board sometimes slip into the area of management that should be done by the National Director and staff? Give examples.

How can we insure that our Board fulfills it’s governance responsibilities and stays out of management decisions ?


Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board

1. Guard Your Identity. Key Question: Who are we? The things that define us:

The Word of God YFC’s Unifying Essentials YFC’s Vision and Mission Core Values History and stories



2. Commitment to Accomplishment Key Question: How are we doing? The way we know:

YFC’s National Self-Review Tool Annual ministry report that compares

accomplishments to our goals Staff reports On-site visits to ministry programs Member involvement as volunteers Discernment



3. Focus on Your Future Key Question: Where are we going? Elements to our future plan

A multi-year plan Board set the “ends” Staff determine the “means”

Strategic initiatives



4. Define Your Staff-Board Relationship Key Question; How do we work together? Ingredients to a sound working relationship:

Only the National Director reports directly to the board.

All other staff report to the National Director National Director has a written job description The working relationship is defined in terms of

executive boundaries and accountability



4. Define Your Staff-Board Relationship Ingredients to a sound working

relationship: (continued) Board does an annual review of the

National Director Board provides spiritual nurture and

spiritual accountability for the National Director

Thought is gives to leadership succession National Director and staff compensation

must be established



5. Operate with Governing Policies Key Question: What boundaries should

define the work of the staff? Governing policies expressed in executive

boundaries written in the negative “ The National Director shall not…”(Expressing executive boundaries in the negative allows the National Director maximum freedom and creativity. Anything not prohibited is allowed.)

Funding policies Financial policies Personnel policies Program policies



6. Develop Board Strength Key question: Is our board strong? Elements needed for good Board

development: New members regularly added to maintain

board size reflected in the By-Laws New members oriented, and all members

receive training periodically Board represented at Regional, Area and

General Assembly conferences Occasional meeting for fellowship and

prayerRefer to Board Manual Pages #5-6


6. Develop Board Strength Elements needed for good Board

development: (continued) A board retreat at least every other

year. Retreat should include a time when the

Board evaluates its own effectiveness using the National Board Self-Evaluation Tool. (See appendix 7, pages 61-67 in the Board Manual)



6. Develop Board Strength The following items will assist in Board

Development: (Suggestions for each of these is included in the Board of Trustees Standing Policy Manual. See appendix 1)

Board governing philosophy and style Board role and job description Board membership criteria Board member expectations Board officer roles Committees Code of conduct for Board Members



What means does our Board use to insure that YFC is accomplishing its mission in our country?

Does our Board have a clear picture of what YFC should look like in 3, 5 and 10 years?

To what extent do we have governing policies that provide boundaries for the work of the staff?”

Is our board strong? How could it be stronger?


Boards and Board Members are Different

The foundational principle is that board members function as individuals, while Boards function as a singular governing body.

Boards: Agree to disagree in Board meetings Only formal decisions made by the whole

board are binding on the National Director Board members leave the meeting in

support of the decisions made by the board.


Boards and Board Members are Different

Board Members: Act as “volunteers” when carrying

out their individual responsibilities - they do not carry board authority as individuals. Acts of support and encouragement Involvement in fundraising efforts Service on committees Representing YFC to the community Using talents to contribute to the work

of YFCRefer to Board Manual Pages #6-7


Why is it important that only the board as a group can give direction to the National Director?

What are some potential problems that would occur if individual board members tried to with “board authority”?

What are some appropriate ways our Board Members are making significant contributions to the YFC Ministry as individual Board Members?


Youth for Christ Board of Trustees Training 2-Hour Training (December 2010)

Documents

Transcript of Youth for Christ Board of Trustees Training 2-Hour Training (December 2010)