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Evaluating & Screening: How much time should a trustee devote to the board each month?

Trustees should expect to devote a minimum of six hours per month to the organization. The hours generally are spent focused on the following:

  • Attending a monthly board meeting (2 hours)
  • Attending a monthly committee meeting  (1–2 hours)
  • Preparing for board and committee meetings (1–2 hours)
  • Completing other board related tasks, and participating in school/board events (1–2 hours)

Too often, charter school boards feel desperate for board members and do not openly discuss the significant time commitment that this type of board involves. Often, boards hope that the new member will sign up, "get hooked", and then miraculously find the time to participate.

This rarely works. Be as honest as you can up front with candidates. If someone is too busy for full board service, perhaps they should serve on a board committee instead?

Point for Discussion

What should you do if the following situation arises? The governance committee has identified a fantastic board candidate. This individual has political connections, skills the board needs, and will probably make a significant financial contribution to the organization. After discussing the time commitment, however, she says she couldn’t possibly attend more than two meetings a year, and she travels too much to serve on a board committee. 

The answer is clear, if not easy. If your board has clearly written down performance expectations, and your candidate cannot comply with them, you must NOT offer her a position on your board. However, you should feel free to suggest other ways in which she might support the school: as an advisor in an area of technical expertise, by making a gift to the organization, or by volunteering on a specific, short-term project.

It is not in your interest to go against your agreed-upon standards. It will only undermine your efforts to create an effective and accountable board.

Updated

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