Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Presentation by Jeff Nish to the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies 2006 Convention & Annual Meeting Staffing Issues for a Board

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Introduction  Board and Staff - Differences  Who Does What  The Importance of Role Clarity  Board/Staff Relationship  Board Self Assessment  In Conclusion

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Introduction Role clarity is a challenge and an opportunity Benefits The right people doing the right things for the right reasons Better Board/staff relations Increased stakeholder confidence in your organization

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Board and Staff - Differences BoardExecutive Director Acts as a groupActs individually within policy Continuous entityTemporary Ultimate authorityAssigned authority by the Board LaypersonsProfessional

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Who Does What BoardEDStaff/Volunteers GovernsManagesImplement Sets policiesAssists with policy development Provide programs & services Identify policy gaps Sets budgetPrepares budgetIdentify needs

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Who Does What BoardEDStaff/Volunteers Hires/Supervises ED Hires/Supervises staff & volunteers Work as members of team Plans long termPlans mid-short term Provide input to planning Monitors & evaluates Reports on resultsProvide feedback

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  The Importance of Role Clarity Avoids role creep Improves organizational efficiency Reduces individual stress/burnout

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Board/Staff Relationship Hiring Managing Evaluating Developing Replacing

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Board/Staff Relationship The Executive Director reports to the Board No individual Board member directs the Executive Director In an Operating Board with no Executive Director, the Executive Committee manages staff

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Board/Staff Relationship: What your Executive Director is thinking*  36% are considering leaving in the next 2 years, 82% within the next 5 years  “Making a difference” is one of the major things Executive Directors like about their job  There are significant gaps between Board expectations, Executive Director expectations and reality * Calgary Centre for Non-Profit Management and Peter T. Boland & Associates Inc., “Addressing the Leadership Challenge” June 2005

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Board Self Assessment  Are job descriptions in place? Board Members Executive Director  Does the ED have measurable goals? Short term (2-3 months) Mid term (3-12 months)  Is the staff clear on what they are accountable for?

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  Board Self Assessment  Does the ED have a personal development plan?  Is there a succession plan for the ED position?  Does the Board know the greatest stressors for the ED? Are sufficient resources in place?  Are there policies that outline Board Staff interactions? Performance review (frequency, criteria, process) Lines of authority

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Staffing Issues for a Board  In Conclusion The Board Governs, the Executive Director or Executive Committee Manages and staff/volunteers Implement Strong Board/Staff relations are essential to the success of your organization

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Resources  Board Development Program  Website eer_community/programs/bdp/index.asp  Phone (780) 

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Resources  Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations  Website  Phone (780) (877) toll free in Alberta 

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Resources  Calgary Centre for Non-Profit Management  Website  Phone (403) 

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Resources  Betty Thompson  Website  Phone (403) 

Jeff Nish EnterprisesFebruary 11, 2006 Resources  Jeff Nish  Phone (403) 