Communication and Support to the Board, A.090, 5-F
February 14, 2007
Communication and Support to the Board, A.090, 5-F
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this policy is to assure that the board is informed and supported in its work. The following steps have been taken to comply with this policy:
- Monitoring reports have been presented at board meetings in accordance with the policy. All monitoring reports have been presented to the board as scheduled.
- Media alerts have been sent to board members in a timely manner. Work sessions have been held on strategic issues requiring board direction and efforts have been made to showcase programs and services at each board meeting.
- Timely information regarding critical issues such as bargaining and state budget changes has been provided to the board either through electronic mail, telephone or meetings.
- Different viewpoints and options for action have been presented to the board as well as assuring that individuals with the most knowledge regarding a particular issue are able to interact with the board.
- Several mechanisms for communication have been used including periodic electronic mail, monthly meetings, copies of all college communications and occasional updates with pertinent reading materials.
- The monthly meetings with board members are very helpful to me in thinking through issues that the college is facing and gaining ideas and advice. The meetings are also intended to provide information to board members so that they are fully prepared to make informed choices or to hear what additional information is necessary to facilitate decisions. They are helpful also in building the board-president relationship. It is clear that in these meetings each board member is expressing his or her own opinion and that the board may only act as a whole.
- Board members have been forewarned of adverse situations as quickly as possible so that “surprises” are limited. Similarly, board members have been very timely in providing information about concerns that they have or that have been raised with them so that follow-up can occur.
- Budget planning information has been provided much earlier so that the board may participate in and give direction to the whole process.
- The board has not been out of compliance with any policy.
- Staff in the President’s Office and the Vice Presidents has been responsive to requests for information from board members.
- The president is in compliance with this policy but would welcome additional communication strategies that would be helpful to the board in support of their work.
CONTACT: Mary Spilde, president, 463-5200
RELEVANT BOARD POLICY:
POLICY NUMBER: A.090
POLICY TYPE: Executive Limitations
POLICY TITLE: Communication and Support to the Board
