Building a Better Board in 2012

1. Building a Better Board in 2012 Kentucky Main Street Conference January 27, 2012 Presented by: Teresa Lynch, Sr. Program Officer National Trust Main Street Center www.mainstreet.org teresa_lynch@nthp.org

2. City-Operated Program vs.Non-Profit Independent • 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 What are the Issues?

3. Board Composition andTransitioning Members • 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 What are the Issues?

4. Board Meetings –Frequency and Conduct • 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 What are the Issues?

5. Protection of Turf andConflicts of Interest • 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 What are the Issues?

6. Manager Turnover 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

7. General Recommendations • 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..

8. Manager Turnover –Why are they leaving? • 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 What are the Issues?