Board self-assessment
=====================

Board self-assessment for [ORGANIZATION NAME], [YEAR]

Answer each question yes, no or not sure. Add a note if it helps.

Duty of care: paying attention

- [ ] I received the papers for each meeting in time to read them.
- [ ] I attended most board meetings this year, or told the chair when I couldn't.
- [ ] I understand our main programs and who they serve.
- [ ] I ask questions when I don't understand something before I vote.
- [ ] I understand our budget, and I see financial reports at least every quarter.

Duty of loyalty: putting the charity first

- [ ] We have a written conflict of interest policy, and I've read it this year. (990)
- [ ] I've told the board, in writing, about any interest that could conflict with my role. (990)
- [ ] When a board member has a conflict, they step out of the discussion and the vote, and the minutes say so. (990)
- [ ] No board member or their family gets a benefit from the charity beyond fair pay for real work, approved by the board.

Duty of obedience: mission, law and our own rules

- [ ] Our programs this year fit our mission statement.
- [ ] We follow our bylaws, including how we elect directors and officers.
- [ ] We know our filing dates (IRS, state charity office, state corporate report) and who is responsible for each.
- [ ] We didn't support or oppose any candidate for public office as an organization.

Meetings and minutes

- [ ] We held the meetings our bylaws require.
- [ ] Minutes record what we decided, when, and who voted, and are approved by the next meeting. (990)
- [ ] We know how many of us can vote on all matters, and how many are independent. (990)

Policies

- [ ] We have a written whistleblower policy, and staff and volunteers know how to raise a concern. (990)
- [ ] We have a written document retention and destruction policy, and we follow it. (990)
- [ ] We have a gift acceptance policy, or we've decided we don't need one yet.

Money and the Form 990

- [ ] The board approved this year's budget.
- [ ] At least two people are involved in handling money: no one person both writes and reconciles the checks (good practice, not an IRS requirement).
- [ ] Every board member got a copy of our Form 990 before it was filed. (990)
- [ ] If we pay a chief executive, board members with no conflict approved the pay, using information on what similar organizations pay for similar roles, and we recorded the decision at the time. (990)

How we work together

- [ ] I know what the board expects of me, in time and in fundraising.
- [ ] Our board has the skills we need, or a plan to recruit them.
- [ ] We have a plan for what happens if our chair, treasurer or chief executive leaves suddenly.
- [ ] I would recommend joining this board to a friend.

Notes

[ANYTHING ELSE THE BOARD SHOULD TALK ABOUT]

Related templates

[Conflict of interest policy](/resources/templates/conflict-of-interest-policy) · [Whistleblower policy](/resources/templates/whistleblower-policy) · [Document retention policy](/resources/templates/document-retention-policy) · [Gift acceptance policy](/resources/templates/gift-acceptance-policy) · [Board minutes](/resources/templates/board-minutes)