By Karen Eber Davis Consulting

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Quick quiz: How often do you engage your board of directors in a self-assessment?

1. Every year

2. Every second or third year

3. Never

 

It turns out that when it comes to board evaluations, nonprofits fall equally into one of these three buckets. So no matter your quiz answer, you’re not alone.

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Perhaps you’d like to join the first group (recommended!) but have faced budget or time constraints up to now.  This post blows up roadblocks. When you finish reading it, you’ll understand why these assessments matter, how to convince your board to evaluate themselves, get answers to FAQ questions, and discover three easy and no-cost evaluation tools for in-meeting use.

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Why Do Board Self-Assessments Matter?

They improve board performance and more. Evaluation allows board members to see their work and how their efforts spur the organization’s success.

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In terms of performance, chief executives rank their boards higher on “all areas of board performance if they regularly access themselves” within two years than those who wait longer and even “more highly than those that never assessed their own performance,” according to Lead with Intent.

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Second, assessments provide value because, during the follow-up conversation, execs can recommend actions that serve the board and reduce their burnout, such as reaching out to absent members.

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Also, you can design your evaluation to put nagging board questions to rest. For instance, you ask a feedback question about your board’s commitment to a critical decision and discover they’re content, so you remove it from future agendas.

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Finally, they’re valuable because most nonprofits underuse board members’ gifts.

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How Often Should Your Board Evaluate Its Work?

Set a goal to evaluate your board yearly. While others recommend reviews at least every two years, since better board performance is valuable, why wait?  

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Should I Use the Same Evaluation Tool Ever Year?

That depends. If you and your board seek year-to-year comparisons, reuse the tool. However, most groups benefit from different tools because each focuses on different board service areas, and even similar questions capture different responses.

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If you’re easing your board into regular evaluations, I recommend your board rotate the depth of the reviews. For instance, year one conducts an in-depth assessment. In year two, complete a quick review.

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When Is the Best Time to Schedule a Board Evaluation?

Here are several times my clients like to schedule:

1. At the next meeting, especially if it’s been over a year

2. As part of a strategic planning process or just before the yearly update

3. A month with a short agenda

4. Before onboarding new members

 

Whatever your choice, automatically schedule the next review in twelve months so assessments become a part of your daily operations.

 

How Did You Pick the Tools?

A flood of board assessment tools exists. To find the best, I sought:

1. Quality, that is, the tool reminds members of their responsibilities and holds the potential to generate insights and behavior changes

2. Free—at least to start

3. Quick, it requires fifteen minutes or less to use the assessment.

4. No email or hoops to jump to get the results.

 

The Best Free Nonprofit Board Assessment Tools

1. Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire