Welcome A-Board !

Bewildered at times by board business? Feeling like you're in a little over your head? Welcome A-Board! Novice or seasoned veteran, we all feel overwhelmed at times. Many potentially good board members are rendered ineffective due to a lack of leadership training, a lack of management skills, or simply a lack of knowing what to do and when to do it.

• "Welcome A-board" will introduce you to basic aspects of governance in the non-profit sector. Topics to be covered in "Welcome A-Board" include the legal and financial responsibilities of board members, volunteer management. the board-staff relationship and proven tips to make you a more dynamic and effective member of the executive "Welcome A-Board" will specifically address some of the most common questions and concerns of new board members.

Significant changes occur in volunteer responsibilities when accepting a position as a director of a non-profit, organization. Now accountable for a vast array of liability issues, directors should make every effort to protect themselves from landing in hot water.

A critical task for any board is evaluation. Through the evaluation process, a board can step back and determine how well the organization is fulfilling its mission and hod effectively each of its parts are contributing to the overall accomplishment of organizational goals.

Individual board members may evaluate their owl performance by using the following checklist to identify areas of strength and points for improvement.

• I attend all meetings of the board.
• I actively participate in committee work.
• I review with care all minutes of meetings.
• I insist on receiving all documents and reports on which I will be expected to vote before the meeting.
• I review all financial reports and ask for clarification of points on which I am not clear.
• I understand, regularly review and always act according to the organization's constitution and bylaws.
• I declare any situation or issue which may be considered a conflict of interest.
• I insist that the minutes record when I refrain from voting or dissent.
• I make all decisions with the best interest of the organization and our clients in mind.
• I prepare myself for board meetings and contribute to discussions and decisions.
• I believe my colleagues have the right to express their opinions at board and committee meetings and think differing opinions contribute to better quality decisions.
• I insist on fair and effective action in the board's relationship with the executive director.
• I seek win-win solutions and understand the need for compromise.
• I support and abide by decisions of the majority.
• I have made the time commitment necessary to become an informed and effective director.
• I focus my efforts on long-term strategic policy and only become involved in the day-to-day operational procedures in other capacities such as committee work.

Checklist taken from: "All A-Board, An Introduction to Board Governance" - Harris/Noddin

Heather Harris
Chair, Ad Hoc Communications

Tutoring Tips

Always take advantage of grocery flyers for English Second Language students. They have pictures, colour and the price is right! As a tool, they are valuable because you can ask questions such as: What is this? What colour is it? What is the word in English for this item? How much does this item cost?

Submitted by Anita Esau
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan

LLC's 1999 Biennial Conference

Be part of the excitement as Laubach students and volunteers from across Canada gather in the nation's capital May 13-16, 1999 to renew friendships, elect new leaders and vote on important issues facing the organization. Experience four days of celebration, education and motivation. A program you won't want to miss is in the works, so plan to meet us in Ottawa as we celebrate Laubach's 1999 Biennial.

Details of the conference will be printed in the March 1999 issue of Literacy Connections.