Assessing a Board's Performance

The Board should convene for an annual check-up to see how well it is doing. Even if it turns out that the Board is doing well, it is good to know that too. An annual check-up is a good time to review the Board’s basic elements, including but not limited to:

• Its mission and goals;
• Its organizational and governance structure;
• Its membership;
• Its leadership; and
• The issues on which it focuses.

A self-assessment of the Board’s performance does not have to be a long or complicated process. A serious group discussion of the following types of questions can be a productive way to gauge the group’s effectiveness:

• What are our strengths?
• What are we doing well?
• What should we stop doing because it reduces our effectiveness?
• What should we start doing because it will increase our effectiveness?
• How can we improve our performance?

An annual check up is also a good time for the Board’s members to examine how well they are performing as a team. The survey (attached to the link below) can be completed anonymously by each Board member, summarized by a neutral person, and presented to the Board for their consideration and action.

Criminal Justice Advisory Board Check-Up Sheet