boards

we offer:

A review of the existing board’s strengths and capabilities, and make recommendations about filling necessary, but possibly vacant, roles

Redesign individual roles

Assign responsibilities within the positions of the skill matrix to fulfill the board’s objectives

Identify and outline the key committees and structures recommended as well as the recommended members.

Incorporate governance policies and procedures applicable to the board’s structure and practices

Design the board with a view to benefitting the entire organization

case study examples

case study: board review and refinement - non-profit agency in the human services sector

Plan, Activity, Solution approach:

Use of Project Management Methodologies

·       Agile principles were applied where flexibility was needed for evolving requirements, while Waterfall methods were used for well-defined deliverables such as committee charters and bylaws recommendations.

·       Hybrid approaches combined elements of different methodologies to address specific project needs effectively.

These methodologies collectively enhanced board functionality, improved governance practices, increased diversity, and streamlined processes—aligning the project outcomes with its strategic goals.

Solution included: Competency Mapping, Collaborative Governance Model, Structured Project Governance, Defined Roles and Responsibilities, Revision of Operating Procedures.

Key issues:

               1/ Structural Challenges:

Lack of an Executive Committee to handle critical areas like personnel, finance, and regulatory matters.

Committees are not meeting frequently enough to complete tasks in a timely manner.

               2/ Governance Gaps:

Absence of charters for committees and clearly defined roles for board positions.

No formalized succession planning or re-election/term-limit processes.

               3/ Engagement and Participation:

Attendance issues at meetings and lack of clarity on expectations for participation.

Over-reliance on certain individuals (e.g., "Meg on every committee").

               4/ Diversity and Skills Deficiency:

Need for a more diverse board with expertise in key areas such as finance, legal, PR, and community engagement.

Results:

·       Enhanced Governance and Board Functionality

·       Strengthened diversity and expertise with Skill Matrix and targeted recruitment

·       Streamlined processes with onboarding improvements and succession planning

·       Increased impact on Mission achievement with better aligned governance and program oversight

·       Operational Excellence with clear committee charters, member roles, and governance model