Board Development

Board Manual Table of Contents — Example

There is not a one-size-fits-all manual for every organization. The following is often a “minimum” or starting point for the kind of information that board members need access to for their decision making.

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Board Manual:  _________________________ (insert organization) Updated:__________________

 

THE ORGANIZATION…………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page XX

• Core purpose and Core Values
• List of core services
• Current strategic plan
• Current annual plan
• Other plans relevant to board service
• Members of the staff
• Organization chart

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS………………………………………………………………………………………… Page XX

• Members of the board and their terms
• Board job description
• Roles and responsibilities of officers
• Board committee list and descriptions (standing/ad hoc)
• Annual schedule of board meetings
• Minutes of meetings

 

BOARD ORIENTATION……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page XX

• Group agreements for meetings, decisions, and board boundaries
• Overview board roles and responsibilities – expectations of service including time and money contributions
• Mission Moment stories or milestones in the organization’s history
• Travel or expense reimbursement process (as applicable)
• Board mentor information (as applicable)
• High-level board succession plan

 

FINANCIALS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page XX

• Current budget
• Current financial statements
• Current audit
• Current 990

 

LEGAL BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………………………………… Page XX

• Articles of Incorporation
• By-laws

 

POLICIES PERTAINING TO THE BOARD (examples could include the following)………………………. Page XX

• Board attendance expectations
• Travel policy
• Investment policy
• Political activities
• Procedures to update board manual

 

CODE OF ETHICS………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page XX

• Board member compensation philosophy/policy (This is usually about why it does not happen.)
• Conflict-of-interest policy and process (This is both overarching definitions and specific ways that it can apply to the group.)
• Confidentiality statement (Sometimes this is a signed form and lives in a separate space.)
• Gifts and gratuities policy (This usually describes limits or protocol.)

 

OTHER INFORMATION………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page XX

• Calendar of mission-based events
• List of recommended readings and websites for board improvement