Who’s Job is it Anyway?
Purpose
This activity helps board members understand their roles in relation to the roles of staff members.
Time
20 minutes
Preparation
Print a copy of the Who Does What? worksheet for each board member. Have a copy of the answer key available for the facilitator.
Directions
Set the stage: Provide an overview of the role of board members and staff members. Discuss how the board focuses on governance, making policy, board development and the board room. Discuss how staff focuses on management, operations, policy implementation, staff development and the workplace. And, that there are shared responsibilities such as strategic planning, fiscal stewardship, fundraising and engagement.
Small Group Discussion: Distribute the worksheet listing 25 tasks and divide the board up into small groups of 2-4 individuals per group. Ask each group to discuss and identify if each task is a board responsibility, staff responsibility, or shared responsibility.
Full Group Discussion: Invite everyone to join back together and work through the list of 25 tasks, and share out the answers, one by one. Where are there is not unanimous alignment, discuss as a group.
