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ACROSS THE BOARD

BOARDMANSHIP...

Ten Principles For Board Members

By Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE IAPD Executive Director and Managing Editor

I. THOU SHALT NOT BE A BOARD MEMBER OF ONE

Power resides with the board as a whole, not with you as an individual. You need both a quorum and a majority to implement your ideas.

II. THOU SHALT NOT SPEND TIME COUNTING PAPER CLIPS

Your time is too valuable to be wasted on minutiae. Your motto should be, "Let the Chief Executive do the driving and leave the policymaking to us."

III. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S TAX RATE

Make sure sound cost analysis and good business practices are applied in the operation of the agency. Concentrate on providing the best services your community can support.

IV. THOU SHALT NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY PRESSURE GROUPS

Listen to the suggestions of various community organizations, but be beholden to no group. Use your own best judgment in casting votes.

V. THOU SHALT NOT LOSE THY COOL IN PUBLIC

Sweet-looking mothers will occasionally insult both your intelligence and your ancestry; men who usually act politely will question your patriotism; the press may accuse you of possible organized crime affiliations. So, re-read the Book of Job to learn patience.

VI. THOU SHALT NOT BE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

There is nothing more devastating to staff morale than to have board members engaged in supervision — or assuming other roles that belong to professionals.

Illinois Parks and Recreation

6

January/February 1992

VII. THOU SHALT BECOME THE BOARD OF PARKS AND RECREATION

Keep informed about parks, recreation and conservation so you can make planning the exciting, dynamic and challenging work that it really should be.

VIII. THOU SHALT ENCOURAGE FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, AND THE AGENCY STAFF MEMBERS TO ATTEND STATE, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL MEETINGS

Board members should encourage staff to take an active part in professional organizations, attend institutes and training courses to improve and expand professional competence. The board should be members of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the National Recreation and Park Association, (Citizen-Board Members Branch), to keep in touch with new developments, legislation, issues and trends.

IX. THOU SHALT ADOPT AN OFFICIAL POLICY MANUAL THAT ENSURES THE EMPLOYMENT OF A COMPETENT STAFF, A SOUND DIVISION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, A FAIR SALARY SCHEDULE AND SATISFACTORY WORKING CONDITIONS

The board should assure the staff the same consideration with respect to working hours, sick leave, vacations, holidays, accident compensation, job security, medical and life insurance, and retirement benefits as apply to comparable staff in other organizations and the private sector.

X. THOU SHALT ARRANGE FOR A MASTER PLANNING PROGRAM FOR AREAS AND FACILITIES, ADOPT A LONG-RANGE PROGRAM FOR ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL PROPERTIES AND REVIEW THIS PROGRAM ANNUALLY

Board members should make a comprehensive appraisal of the agency regularly working with the chief executive. The board members should develop cooperative planning and effort with other public, private, voluntary, commercial and industrial agencies concerned with recreation, parks, conservation and leisure services. Inter-governmental cooperation should be an ongoing effort.

Editor's Note:

Dr. Ted Flickinger's book, "Are Your On Board?", will be released late spring of 1992. You may order your copy by contacting the IAPD office at (217) 523-4554. Articles that have appeared in our Boardmanship section of this magazine have been taken from this book. The book is highly recommended reading, and should be on every board member's and director's bookshelf. It does not matter if you are not a park and recreation board member. This book is a wonderful resource guide for all board and committee members.

Illinois Parks and Recreation

7

January/February 1992