Board members and what they do
Governing bodies are known by a variety of names including boards, committees, councils, trusts,…
Board member roles and responsibilities
Clear understanding of roles and responsibilities is essential for a board to function effectively.
When each board member knows their own role and understands the roles of others, it fosters better collaboration, reduces misunderstandings, and strengthens governance.
Imagine a board where every member is confident in their duties, working together seamlessly to drive the organisation forward. This webpage hosts tools and resources to give you and your board that clarity.
Scroll down to access essential help sheets, tools, checklists, policies, books and advice guides designed to enhance your meeting experience.
Top tools and resources
Overview of your board responsibilities
Because all not-for-profit organisations serve different community needs, their boards and the…
Tips for the chair
Being a good chair requires not taking over the meeting, but facilitating discussion. This means…
How to be the best secretary
Nobody is perfect, but follow these top 10 tips to go from being just another good secretary to…
Help sheets
10 questions a board director should ask about getting more women on the board
1. What is our current gender diversity on the board, and how does it compare to other…
10 questions women should ask about joining a board
1. What is the current gender diversity on the board, and how does it compare to other…
10 tips to keep your board on the straight and narrow
If you're on the board or committee of a community group it's your responsibility to ensure that…
Members Only
Becoming a better chair
An effective chair will pave the way for effective board meetings, and better board meetings will…
Becoming a more accountable, transparent and consultative board
It is becoming increasingly clear that not-for-profit organisations are not immune from demands for…
Board accountability
In simple terms, a community group board is governing for the benefit of, and is therefore…
Board and staff relationships
The board of a not-for-profit agency is the highest authority in the organisation. In the last…
Board committees
Committees concentrate on and develop expertise in specific areas, ensuring that the full board can…
Tools
Appointment of Proxy Form Template
Download our template form to help you document proxies for your board meetings.
Board composition checklist
If your board can no longer provide leadership or fresh ideas, or if money is becoming an issue, it…
Board skills and experience matrix
Welcome to the ICDA Board diversity, experience and skills matrix.
CEO annual review template
The board needs to regularly review the performance of their CEO to ensure that they are meeting…
Checklists
Members Only
10 key areas to renew, review and refresh
It's easy to carry on doing the same thing 'because that's the way we do it'. To avoid the pitfalls…
For and against setting up committees
ForCommittees can make better use of board members' time, allowing certain tasks, issues or…
Successful board succession
The process of finding, recruiting, selecting and installing new board members is perhaps the most…
Members Only
Ten ways to write a 'perfect' constitution
Alright, the "perfect" constitution might be a bad case of hyperbole, but if your constitution…
Policies
Board Attendance Policy
Regular attendance at Board and committee meetings in essential in order to maintain continuity and…
Board Office-bearer Policy & Position Statements
A Board operates more effectively in the members and office-bearers of the Board know their…
Committees Policy
Sometimes sub-committees can act more effectively than the full Board. Your Board may put in place…
Delegations Policy
This policy sets out the circumstances under which the Board may delegate its responsibilities.…
