Member "contracts” can improve board performance

Jan Masaoka, editor of the Blue Avocado newsletter, writes: “One way to be sure that each person on the board is clear on his or her responsibilities is to adopt a board member ‘contract.’ Not intended to be legally enforced, the contract outlines explicitly what is expected of individual board members, and how the organization will in turn be responsible to them.”

This board member contract differs from similar documents in some important ways, she says. “While most board agreements describe board member responsibilities, this one also outlines the responsibilities of the organization to the board member. A key principle underlying this document is the board's responsibility to hold the organization accountable to its constituencies and to the public. Just as important, the contract communicates core values about debate and disagreement, accountability and board-staff relationships.”

For her complete article on this topic and a sample board member contract, click here: http://www.blueavocado.org/content/board-member-contract.