Board Engagement

ASV works with organizations to evaluate and strengthen board performance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and community needs. Our comprehensive approach focuses on assessing current board effectiveness, crafting actionable improvement strategies, and equipping boards to thrive in today’s dynamic nonprofit landscape. 

Effective boards are the cornerstone of successful nonprofit organizations. By investing in board development and activation, organizations can:

• Align governance practices with mission-driven goals.
• Strengthen board engagement and accountability.
• Enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within leadership structures.
• Build a board that is equipped to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

Our services include:

Board Assessments

• Comprehensive evaluations of board responsibilities and performance using tools such as surveys, interviews, and scorecards.
• Assessment of the Four Key Areas of Board Effectiveness (Mission and Vision Alignment, Strategic Planning and Decision-Making, Fundraising and Resource Development, and Governance and Accountability)
• Identification of strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

Vision and Action Plans

• Facilitation of leadership discussions to define the future vision of the board.
• Development of customized action plans to address identified gaps and align with organizational goals.
• Creation of a roadmap with measurable objectives for enhancing board effectiveness over time.

Board Engagement Planning

• Strategies to deepen board member engagement and strengthen commitment to organizational priorities.
• Development of tools and processes to track engagement and accountability, such as engagement scorecards and annual board commitment forms.
• Support for ongoing engagement through retreats, training, and structured feedback loops.

Board Composition and Recruitment

• Creation of board matrices to analyze and track diversity, skills, and other essential metrics.
• Strategic recruitment plans to attract and onboard members who meet organizational needs.
• Support for onboarding processes, including orientation materials, mentorship programs, and 90-day plans.

Governance Best Practices

• Guidance on clarifying board roles and responsibilities, including legal and fiduciary duties.
• Development and refinement of governance policies, committee structures, and board expectations.
• Facilitation of discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure the board reflects organizational values.

ASV employs a collaborative, results-oriented process tailored to each organization’s needs:

Assessment and Data Collection

• Use of surveys, interviews, and self-assessments to gather insights into board dynamics and performance.
• Review of governance documents, policies, and structures.

Visioning and Planning

• Facilitation of retreats or workshops to align on board priorities and strategic direction.
• Creation of actionable plans with clear timelines and measurable goals.

Implementation and Support

• Hands-on guidance for implementing recruitment plans, governance improvements, and engagement strategies.
• Support for leadership transitions and onboarding of new board members.

Tracking and Continuous Improvement

• Tools and dashboards to monitor board progress and impact.
• Regular check-ins to refine strategies and ensure long-term success.

• Board Assessment Reports: Detailed evaluations of board performance and alignment with organizational goals.
• Action Plans: Comprehensive strategies for enhancing board effectiveness.
• Recruitment and Onboarding Tools: Matrices, role descriptions, and onboarding materials tailored to your board’s needs.
• Engagement Scorecards: Tools to track and enhance individual board member engagement.