Survey Summary: The Board and its functions
Board activities:
Board members agree that:
- the board meets frequently enough;
- board meetings are well organized;
- diversity of opinion is respected;
- every member of the board is encouraged to participate in
the discussions;
- board members are sufficiently knowledgeable about the
organization's overall programs and services.
Board members are less certain:
- that they are clearly informed about the strengths and
weaknesses of specific events or programs
Board Succession:
Board members suggest that:
- the succession process for new board members is not clear;
- the board does not have a process in place to identify the
characteristics of new board members;
- the board does not have a process in place to provide new
members with a thorough orientation.
Board members are split evenly on:
- whether the board's roles and responsibilities are clear to
them.
Board composition:
Board members agree
that:
- the board currently contains a sufficient range of expertise and
experience to make it an effective governing body (2 to 1).
Board members disagree unanimously:
- that the board’s composition sufficiently represents the
diversity of its membership.
Suggestions for
improvement/change:
- A more rigorous committee structure.
- A committee structure that brings ONA members into
leadership roles so they can assume more of the workload and free board members to
concentrate on bigger issues
- "The Board will work better once we clearly
define what the organization's role is. Talented, dedicated people - -but we are
sort of searching for a purpose."
Board focus over the next two years:
- Developing more tangible benefits for the
membership, including an email newsletter, a more robust Web site, and a program committee
that identifies local ONA leadership and provides a template for local ONA events.
- Developing programs through co-sponsorship with
other journalism organizations and schools.
- Finding a financial base that makes it possible to
operate without so much volunteer time from board members.
- Taking a more vigorous public posture on issues of
importance to online journalism -- speaking out on issues, organizing and disseminating
research and information, etc.
- Putting the organization on firm financial and
organizational footing for the future, including identifying reliable sources of funding
and hiring an executive director to make sure important work gets done in an organized and
energetic manner.
- Clarifying the overall purpose of the organization.
- Serving as a respected defender of journalistic
principles.
Issues for board consideration:
- Orientation for new board members;
- The process by which new board members are
identified;
- The diversity of the board.
more survey results...
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