Building a High - Performance Chamber Board
Facilitator: Kathi Roetter
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90-Day Checklist: Building a High-Performance Chamber Board
How to use this: Pick a start date. Work through the checklist in order. You’re building systems (role clarity, engagement, development)—not chasing perfection.
Success target in 90 days
By Day 90, you will have:
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Clear board expectations in writing
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A meeting structure that drives strategic focus
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A simple board development rhythm
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A leadership-aligned set of priorities for the next 6–12 months
Days 1–7: Diagnose + Set the Tone
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☐ Complete a quick board health scan (roles, engagement, development)
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☐ Identify your top 1–2 board pain points (be specific)
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☐ Review your current board materials:
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☐ bylaws
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☐ committee list/structure
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☐ last 2 agendas + packets
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☐ Choose one “north star” statement you’ll repeat often:
“Board meetings are for governance, strategy, and direction—staff handles operations.” -
☐ Schedule two key conversations:
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☐ Board Chair (30 minutes)
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☐ Executive Committee or Officers (45 minutes)
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Deliverable by Day 7: a one-paragraph summary of what needs to improve first.
Days 8–21: Lock in Role Clarity
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☐ Meet with your Chair: agree on the difference between governance vs. management
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☐ Draft or update a Board Expectations Agreement (1 page)
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☐ Decide what the board will stop doing (examples: approving minor purchases, rehashing staff tasks, “report-only” agendas)
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☐ Clarify committee purpose:
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☐ List all committees
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☐ Identify any committees that don’t tie to strategy
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☐ Choose one committee to sunset, merge, or redesign
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☐ Put role clarity into writing for the board (email or memo is fine)
Deliverable by Day 21: a finalized 1-page expectations document ready to share.
Days 22–45: Redesign Engagement (Meetings + Committees)
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☐ Implement a consent agenda (minutes, routine updates, FYI items)
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☐ Redesign your agenda so at least 40% is strategic discussion/decisions
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☐ Send board packets at least 3 days in advance with a clear message:
“Please come prepared—our discussion time is for decisions and direction.” -
☐ Add one recurring agenda item: “Strategic Priority Spotlight” (10–15 minutes)
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☐ Define committee expectations:
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☐ clear purpose
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☐ chair responsibilities
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☐ what decisions they can make vs. recommend
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☐ Start a simple engagement practice between meetings:
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☐ one board member call per week or
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☐ 2-minute “board pulse” email after meetings
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Deliverable by Day 45: one board meeting run using the new format.
Days 46–70: Build a Board Development Rhythm
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☐ Add a 5–7 minute board development moment to every meeting
(topics: role clarity, fiduciary duties, strategic thinking, ambassador role, financial oversight) -
☐ Create a basic New Board Member Orientation (even if it’s just a folder + 30-minute meeting)
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☐ Identify and begin building your leadership pipeline:
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☐ who could be a future officer?
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☐ who needs development?
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☐ Run a quick board learning exercise (choose one):
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☐ “What’s one risk we’re not discussing?”
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☐ “What result are we accountable for this quarter?”
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☐ “What should we stop doing so we can do what matters?”
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Deliverable by Day 70: board development is now a standing practice, not a one-time event.
Days 71–90: Align Leaders Around Priorities + Accountability
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☐ Facilitate a priority alignment conversation with your Chair/officers:
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☐ confirm 3–5 priorities for the next 6–12 months
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☐ define what “success” looks like for each
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☐ Confirm what the board will monitor (simple dashboard is enough):
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☐ membership/retention
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☐ financial health
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☐ program impact
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☐ strategic milestones
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☐ Ask the board for one commitment:
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☐ attendance + preparation
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☐ committee participation
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☐ ambassador role
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☐ Close the loop with a board pulse-check:
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☐ “What’s working with our meetings?”
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☐ “What should we adjust?”
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☐ Document your next 90-day focus (what you will improve next)
Deliverable by Day 90: a simple board operating system you can repeat and improve.
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Resources:
Bob Harris, The Non-Profit Center - https://www.rchcae.com/
Boardable, Characteristics of a High Performing Board - https://youtu.be/fydc7k9xzlE?si=NXcrimMe0kfvqwFN
Joan Garry, The Hidden Ingredient of a High Functioning Board - https://joangarry.com/hidden-ingredient-high-functioning-board/
Sample Non-profit job descriptions - https://propelnonprofits.org/resources/sample-nonprofit-board-member-job-descriptions-template/
