ErinoakKids - Second Annual Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

ErinoakKids Second Annual Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

Our governance policy calls for regular evaluations to help ensure that the Board and Standing Committees are fulfilling the requirements of their terms of reference and contributing to the leadership of the organization. Results are used to enhance Board governance practices and performance.

This questionnaire is designed to gather perceptions of the Board's performance on a range of items related to governance, Board operations, standing committees and the "culture" of the ErinoakKids Board. It also asks you to self-assess your own performance as a Board member. Replies will be confidential.

The deadline for responses is May 21, 2010. The consultant will analyse the findings, and prepare a summary report to be tabled at the June Board meeting.

Governance

Please rate the following aspects of the ErinoakKids Board's governance performance:

		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
a.	Providing strategic leadership and direction to the organization
b.	Monitoring CEO performance
c.	Developing and maintaining effective governance policies
d.	Ensuring appropriate organizational policies are in place
e.	Ensuring effective risk management
f.	Exercising effective control over ErinoakKids financial affairs
g.	Presenting a positive profile of the organization in the community
h.	Ensuring effective Board and CEO succession planning

	If you gave a negative response ("fair" or "poor") to any of the items related to governance, please elaborate below: (Specify the Item #)

Board Operations

This next series of questions addresses the structure and ongoing operations of the ErinoakKids Board. Think now of your own involvement with the Board of Directors, and indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each of the following statements:

		Agree Strongly	Agree Somewhat	Disagree Somewhat	Disagree Strongly
a.	The Board is dealing with important issues
b.	Board members represent a variety of philosophical perspectives
c.	Decisions are made based on accurate and timely information
d.	The skill mix on the Board is adequate to do the job
e.	There is a clear distinction between Board and CEO roles
f.	The Board asks constructive questions
g.	The Board keeps abreast of relevant trends, events and emerging issues
h.	New Board members receive adequate orientation
i.	There are sufficient appropriate professional development opportunities for Board members
j.	Board members have the necessary resources and supports to do their job
k.	The Board functions objectively and independently, without undue influence from management
l.	The Board has adequate information to monitor organizational performance

m.	The number of full Board meetings is: Too few About the right amount Too many
n.	number of Standing Committee meetings is: Too few About the right amount Too many
o.	The number of Board members is: Too few About the right amount Too many

Standing Committees

This section deals with your views on the three Board Standing Committees. Which Standing Committees do you sit on?

Finance Audit
Governance and Nominating
Performance and Risk Management

Answer the following questions regardless of your committee affiliation. If you are unsure of your answer to a question, leave that item blank.

First rate how well you feel the Finance and Audit Committee carries out the following responsibilities related to its mandate:

		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
a.	Reporting on financial results
b.	Ensuring the adequacy of financial systems and internal controls
c.	Identifying and mitigating financial risks
d.	Monitoring legal and regulatory matters
e.	Reviewing investment returns and related policies
f.	Ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, regulatory and financial reporting requirements

Now rate how well you feel the Governance and Nominating Committee carries out the following responsibilities related to its mandate:

		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
a.	Monitoring best practices for governance
b.	Developing and recommending new principles, practices and policies
c.	Reviewing the Board structure, composition, membership and mandate
d.	Identifying and recommending new Board and Committee members
e.	Director training and orientation
f.	Overseeing the evaluation of the Board and its committees
g.	Monitoring compliance with the Code of Conduct and ethics

Rate how well you feel the Performance and Risk Management Committee carries out the following responsibilities related to its mandate:

		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
a.	Evaluating the performance of the CEO
b.	Reviewing and approving balanced scorecard metrics
c.	Ensuring effective risk management
d.	Reviewing and monitoring the CEO succession plan

Answer these questions for all three Standing Committees. Indicate your ratings in the table using the following scale:

4 - Agree Strongly 3 - Agree Somewhat 2 - Disagree Somewhat 1 - Disagree Strongly

		Finance and Audit	Governance/ Nominating	Performance and Risk
a.	The role and mandate of the committee is clear
b.	Board members are kept informed of committee activities
c.	Members have the right mix of content knowledge and technical expertise related to the committee's mandate
d.	Committee recommendations are solid and well thought out
e.	The committee makes a significant contribution to the work of the Board

Now answer these questions only for the committees of which you are a member. Use the same scale:

4 - Agree Strongly 3 - Agree Somewhat 2 - Disagree Somewhat 1 - Disagree Strongly

		Finance and Audit	Governance/ Nominating	Performance and Risk
a.	The committee meetings are well run
b.	We receive adequate information to do our job on this committee
c.	This committee receives adequate support from management
d.	I have the necessary knowledge and skills to sit on this committee
e.	I received adequate orientation and training when I joined this committee

Feel free to make any other comments or suggestions about the Standing Committees.

Board Culture

Indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each of the following statements related to the attitudes, values and group dynamics of the ErinoakKids Board:

		Agree Strongly	Agree Somewhat	Disagree Somewhat	Disagree Strongly
a.	The members of this Board work well together
b.	Board members are committed and loyal to the organization
c.	I believe my comments are respected by others
d.	I feel comfortable in "speaking my mind" at Board meetings
e.	Flexibility, adaptability and forward thinking is valued
f.	Communication is open, honest and transparent
g.	There is a good team spirit
h.	Constructive dissent is encouraged
i.	Any conflict among Board members is acknowledged and addressed
j.	Once consensus on an issue has been reached the Board speaks with one voice

If you gave a negative response ("fair" or "poor") to any of the items related to Board culture, please elaborate below: (Specify the Item #)

Self-Evaluation

Rate the following aspects of your own performance as a member of the ErinoakKids Board over the past year:

		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
a.	Attendance of meetings
b.	Preparation for meetings
c.	Participation at meetings
d.	Understanding of my roles and obligations as a Director
e.	Understanding of ErinoakKids mission, vision, values and goals
f.	Knowledge of the ErinoakKids organization
g.	Understanding of relevant legislation and regulations
h.	Understanding of my role relative to management
i.	Awareness of relevant trends, events and emerging issues
j.	Ability to provide financial oversight

Still thinking of your own involvement with the Board of Directors, indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each of the following statements:

		Agree Strongly	Agree Somewhat	Disagree Somewhat	Disagree Strongly
k.	I am committed and loyal to the organization
l.	I approach all issues objectively and am not unduly influenced by management
m.	I communicate clearly and openly
n.	I ask relevant and constructive questions at Board and committee meetings
o.	I listen to other Board members and respect their opinions
p.	I publicly support all Board decisions
q.	I do a good job representing ErinoakKids to the community
r.	Overall, I make a positive contribution to the ErinoakKids Board

What is the greatest single strength that you bring to the Board?

What are your professional development priorities as a Board member next year?

General

Keeping your answers to all the previous questions in mind, how would you rate the overall effectiveness of the Board in contributing to the mandate of ErinoakKids?

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

What do you believe is the single most important strength of this Board?

Are there any obstacles interfering with Board performance?

Yes
No

If you answered Yes, please specify:

Feel free to make any other comments or suggestions to assist in future Board planning and development initiatives.

Completed by:

Name of Board Member:

(Necessary for tracking response and follow-up by the consultant)

Thank you for your cooperation.