Page 19 - Illinois Association of Park Districts Benefits of Membership 2017 - 2018

Board Development and Self-Evaluation
Even the best boards should conduct an annual self-evaluation to solidify relationships with one another, businesses, other government agencies and the community. The board should evaluate whether or not meetings, relationships with the executive, the code of ethics, board policies and other governance situations can be improved.
Board development can help with team decision-making, generating community support for agency initiatives, achieving consensus, working within the Open Meetings Act and resolving board issues. This specialized training is a great benefit to both new and seasoned board members, as it defines roles and responsibilities, describes duties for oversight and governance, and assists in defining leadership within the agency.
Occasionally, an agency will experience disharmony among its board members, making it difficult to conduct business. When this situation disrupts the decision making process, IAPD can help. Board development helps to create an atmosphere of trust between board members. This focuses everyone’s efforts on moving the agency forward and being more accountable to the public.
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, board development may be held in closed session with an IAPD representative. This self-evaluation process allows for maximum growth potential in a private setting while complying with state law.
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