Association Leadership - September/October 2007 - (Page 22)

case study Association Case Diversifying Board Leaders hile preparing for the first Nominating Committee meeting of the year, an association CEO weighed the contributions of returning board members and considered opportunities to add certain personality-types to the association. The board and its committee composition traditionally secured membership representative of the association’s demographics. Up to now they had not proactively sought certain other characteristics –such as someone who asks thoughtful questions, sticklers for procedure, negotiators/compromisers and “what if” debaters – each of whom may contribute positively to the direction of the association. Recognizing some friction may result through this process, the CEO determined it would be helpful to know how other associations address member composition: What personality-types or characteristics are desirable? Are there certain personality-types to avoid? Is there a different process for consideration of traits attributable to Board members, Board officers, and/or Board committee members? Does the nomination process require an application? Is input from current members a formal or informal consideration of the nominees? Should, and how, do characteristics of staff members contribute to Board assignments? W CASE SOLUTION John Sharbaugh, CAE Executive Director/CEO Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants You don’t have to do anything to obtain a diverse representation of personality. It happens naturally, even in groups as small as the 11 people on my board. That’s what makes us individuals. A competency-based nomination process seems to be the latest thinking. You determine a skill set and identify a volunteer to fill that spot. This model may be appropriate for a board with fund-raising responsibilities or for an organization with minimal staff. The downside is that an excellent candidate could be passed over for someone who has the required proficiency but is obstreperous and difficult. Unfortunately, personality can negate the contribution the expert should be able to make. My idea of the ideal board member? A board member should come prepared to meetings, having read his or her materials. She or he should talk to volunteers or staff in advance to get sufficient background needed to be fully briefed. She or he should consider the facts and information presented, be able to sift through and analyze the available data and make a decision. 22 Association LEADERSHIP | September/October 2007

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - September/October 2007

Contents Chairman's Column Homepage 60-Second Solutions An Interview with TSAE’s New Chairman TSAE’s Newest Board Members 7 Measures of Success Association Case Study: Diversity on the Board Assessing Your Association: Texas Nursery and Landscape Association TSAE's Annual Golf Tournament Between the Covers Now Online at TSAE.org – Association Leadership Magazine Getting Found Through Web Searches “I Survived a Year on a Committee!” New Members Community Spotlight San Antonio Mississippi Gulf Coast Index to Advertisers Board of Directors

Association Leadership - September/October 2007

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