1. Every board member accepts all other board members regardless of their socio-economic status, race, sex or religious preferences.
2. Each board member appreciates the strengths and tolerates the weaknesses of fellow board members.
3. A board member respects the opinion of fellow board members even when there is a disagreement.
4. A board member will support the decisions of the board as a whole even when the decision is in opposition of his or her opinion, regardless of the closeness of the first vote. Here the board member recognizes that the whole board is more important than any of its parts.
5. Board members will make an extra effort to communicate with one another and attempt to understand another board member's views.
6. Board members understand that compromise decisions are the right decisions.
7. Each board member recognizes that it is often as healthy to disagree as to agree.
8. Each board member agrees to an acceptance of, and conformity to, a code of behavior related to the interaction of board members. This code involves courtesy, self-discipline, honesty and respect.
9. The board members and the executive identify a clear definition of responsibilities so that each board member and the executive know what is expected of them.
10. A board member complements the work of fellow board members.
11. A board member attends educational meetings organized by the state and national associations, and compares notes on boardsmanship.
12. A board members' time and talents should not be wasted. Meetings are conducted with meaningful dialogue and address issues.
13. Board members complete tasks assigned to them on time and with sound reasoning.
14. Board members believe they are wanted and their services are appreciated.
15. Board members are supplied with sufficient background information (pro and con) regarding an issue in order for them to make intelligent decisions. This information should be supplied enough in advance that he/she has sufficient time to study the issue so a fair decision can be reached.
16. The board is not dominated by the chairman, by a clique of a few board members or by the executive.
Edward C. Lindeman wrote in the Proceedings of the National Conference of Social Work, "Democracy and Social Work", that it is vitally important to practice the proper use of citizen participation functioning with democratic ideals. He wrote: ". . . In a democracy, power must always be tempered, must never become absolute or too highly centralized. Experts and the experiences of people need to be brought into working harmony . . . the agencies and institutions which employ skilled personnel must also be brought within the pattern of democracy. This democratizing process can become effective only when technicians march forward to their tasks with citizens on their side. . . ."
