Guidelines Chief Executive Evaluation

Benefits of Evaluating the Chief Executive

Evaluating the Chief Executive is a primary responsibility of the Board. There are several key benefits from this evaluation, including that the process:
1. Ensures the Board is meeting its duty to effectively lead the organization
2. Ensures organizational goals are being met
3. Ensures continued development of the Chief Executive to more effectively conduct his or her role
4. Ensures a formal and documented evaluation process that meets standards of fairness and practicality
5. Ensures the Chief Executive values his or her role, is benefiting from it and therefore is more likely to stay (finding good Chief Executives is increasingly difficult)
6. Leaves written record of the Board's impression of the Chief Executive's performance in case this record is needed for future verification, e.g., for salary increases, probationary activities, firing, etc.

One Process to Evaluate the Chief Executive
Sample Schedule: Note that, more important than doing an evaluation at a certain scheduled time, is doing an evaluation at all, so do the evaluation when the Board believes is the best time for its members.

Activity:

Approx. # of months before start of next fiscal year
Evaluate the Chief Executive, by referencing his or her progress towards last fiscal year's organizational goals and responsibilities on their job description

10

Board self-evaluation

9

Board retreat to address results of Board self-evaluation, conduct any team building and begin strategic planning

7

Strategic planning to produce organizational goals and identify resources needed to accomplish the goals

7

Establish Chief Executive's goals for the next fiscal year, by referencing goals produced fromtrategic planning

6

Establish next year's fundraising goals and budget by referencing resources needed to reach strategic goals

6

Fundraising to meet fundraising goals

6

Fiscal year begins

0