Building a Better Board in 2012

Kentucky Main Street Conference

January 27, 2012

Presented by:Teresa Lynch, Sr. Program OfficerNational Trust Main Street Centerwww.mainstreet.orgteresa_lynch@nthp.org

• Board members appointed by city

• Difficulty fundraising in private community

• Political pressures

• Business owners suspect

• Reduction of volunteers

• Limited opportunities for private grants

• Manager being pulled in other directions by city

City-Operated Program vs.Non-Profit Independent

What are the Issues?

• Are workers, wisdom and wealth represented

• Cumbersome, large boards

• Lack of orientation/training for new members

• Term Limits - “Perennial Polly” situation

• Grooming new board members through committee structure

• Ex Officio board members

Board Composition andTransitioning Members

What are the Issues?

• Overly long meetings

• Board meets infrequently

• Manager presides instead of president

• Executive committee does not meet regularly or exercise their responsibilities

• Committee Chairs aren’t at Board meetings

• Manager makes committee reports

Board Meetings –Frequency and Conduct

What are the Issues?

• Manager has two roles/jobs

• Manager or Board President has conflict of interest or relationship issues

• Board members with conflicting jobs/roles (e.g. chamber director/tourism director)

• Board members with personal agendas – interested in protecting their own turf

• Couples who come as a package to the Board

Protection of Turf andConflicts of Interest

What are the Issues?

• Insufficient remuneration

• Lack of benefits

• Little Board support

• Conflicts with Board president

• Board members not assuming responsibilities

• Burned out

• Skill sets do not match needs of position

• Not a ‘fit’ for the community

Manager Turnover

What are the Issues?

• Assure board and committee members are knowledgeable on roles and responsibilities: Committee handbooks and Board Member Handbook – essential reading

• Thoroughly prepare new board and committee members through orientation sessions before they assume their roles

• Offer continuing training opportunities for board and committee members

• Review KMS’s evaluation and ranking scores to see where their program is not meeting standards..

General Recommendations

• Insufficient remuneration

• No benefits

• Lack of recognition

• Manager conflicts with Board President

• Lack of Board Support

• Overworked

• Not up to the demands of the job

Manager Turnover –Why are they leaving?

What are the Issues?