In this episode of THEBOARDCHECKUP, the focus is the Case for Board Performance Assessment to Prevent Child Abuse in New York State. Mr. Timothy Hathaway, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse New York, Dr. Vincent Palusci, Board Chair, and Mr. Zakhar Berkovich, Treasurer share their experience with the practice of performance assessment and how it helped the board and staff work more collaboratively as a team to advance the mission of preventing child abuse by building strong families and communities in New York State.This episode has some informative and powerful exchanges around the following topics:The mission and characteristics of the organization and board.The challenges of governing a statewide organization and mixed model board that works collaboratively with staff in planning and implementing policy.The importance of leaning into challenges, deciding change in the board and aligning them with strategy.The process of self-assessing performance using technology, the involvement of staff in the process and the impact it had on board governance and leadership of the organization.Advice for boards and consultants who work with boards on ways to improve governance practice.Following the interview, I reflect on the lessons I learned from the board and organization and the elements that make this case another great board love story.

In this episode of THEBOARDCHECKUP, I speak with Chief Development Officer of Corner Stones of Care, Dr. Chad Harris about his experience helping the boards he is associated with grow in leadership and governance effectiveness through the practice of board performance assessment. I think you will find Chad’s approach to the practice holistic and leadership of the process helpful, particularly for boards that are going through a merger and rethinking their governance arrangements. It will also be of interest to consultants and leaders on the board who are charged with facilitating the practice in ways that optimize board engagement, learning and development. Following the interview, I reflect on the lessons we learned from Chad’s leadership of the process and experience with Board Checkup. I conclude with a summary of the elements that make this case another great board love story.

In this board performance case study series, I interview boards who self-assessed performance for the very first time using an online application known as Board Checkup.In Episode 1, The Case of the Board of EIL Ireland, I interview the CEO and Board Chair to explore what motivated them to self-assess board performance, how they coordinated and implemented the process, what they found and discussed, the changes they made, lessons learned and advice for other boards considering the practice.Following the interview, are eight lessons that emerged from the case that align with our research on the impact of the practice of performance assessment on the leadership of the board, Board Chair, and CEO on the EIL organization. The case concludes with board performance assessment and development resources.