Board and Staff Responsibilities — Test Your Knowledge

Written by Max | Edited by Rory Hart
Sections of this topic
    Group of colleagues going through a document

    Applies to for-profits unless otherwise noted.

    Use the following table to test your
    knowledge of the differences between the roles of the board and
    the staff of an organization. Under the column titled “Responsibility”,
    note if the activity is:
    Board
    Staff
    Joint

    Then compare your answers to the table
    at Board and Staff Responsibilities.

    Activity

    Respon-
    sibility

    PLANNING:

    Director the process of planning |
    Provide input to long-range goals |
    Approve long-range goals |
    Formulate annual objectives |
    Approve annual objectives |
    Prepare performance reports on the achievement of goals and
    objectives    		 |
    Monitor achievement of goals and objectives |

    PROGRAMMING:

    Assess stakeholder (customers, community) needs |
    Oversee evaluation of products, services, and programs |
    Maintain program records; prepare program reports |
    Prepare preliminary budget |
    Finalize and approve the budget |
    See that expenditures are within budget during the year |
    Approve expenditures outside the authorized budget |
    Ensure annual audit of organization accounts |

    PERSONNEL:

    Employ Chief Executive |
    Direct work of the staff |
    Hire and discharge staff member |
    The decision to add staff |
    Settle discord among staff |

    COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

    Interpret organization to the community |
    Write news stories |
    Provide organization linkage with other organizations |

    BOARD COMMITTEES:

    Appoint committee members |
    Call the Committee Chair to urge him/her into action |
    Promote attendance at Board/Committee meetings |
    Recruit new Board members |
    Plan agenda for Board meetings |
    Take minutes at Board meetings |
    Plan and propose committee organization |
    Prepare exhibits, material, and proposals for the Board and
    Committees    		 |
    Sign legal documents |
    Follow-up to ensure implementation of Board and Committee
    decisions    		 |
    Settle clash between Committees |

    For the Category of Boards of Directors:

    To round out your knowledge of this Library topic, you may want to review some related topics, available from the link below. Each of the related topics includes free, online resources.

    Also, scan the Recommended Books listed below. They have been selected for their relevance and highly practical nature.

    Related Library Topics

    Recommended Books


    Max