b'DAYTODAYRIPPLESReid LehmanTaking the LeadEquipping your board chair for successY our governing board can be a powerfulmanages the ministry. The CEO works for the repository of godly wisdom, great strate- board (not the chair), and the chair helps main-gic foresight, strong financial support, andtain CEO accountability.community influence. Great boards are developedOrient and educate the incoming chair, shar-by effective chairs. Here are some tips to prepareing the ministrys history, mission, programs, and your chair for success.key stakeholders. Two excellent books can help: Good Governance for Nonprofits, by Frederic Laughlin and Robert Andringa, and The Skilled Facilitator, by Roger Schwarz. If your budget permits, one of Schwarzs Skilled Facilitator Workshops can be transformative.The chair/CEO relationship is the most important in your ministry. If the relationship is strained, the ministry will feel it. Consider regu-lar chair/CEO meetingsat least once before every board meeting. Have an annual agenda Select a chair with key facilitative skills.(defining the regular things that happen each A good chair: month throughout the year), and collaborate withWill make time to lead. the chair on your suggestions for the next meet-ing agenda. Develop a process with the chair toLearns how to skillfully lead group processes.aid the board in defining strategic priorities. Will prioritize an effective group decisionDoes the board use Roberts Rules of Order? over his/her own personal preference, andFew have read the 800+ page book, and those Reid, a certified Policy Gover spirit-led decisions over purely rational ones.who know Roberts Rules have power over those nance Professional, has beenwho dont. Ask your board to consider using a training governing boards since Nurtures and manages diversity to the boardsone-page summary of the rules of ordermore 1994 and serving rescue mis advantage. sions on behalf of Citygatethan sufficient for your deliberations. (Ask for Network since 2016. Reid is in Considers systems and context.your free copy.) his 48th year with Miracle Hill Thinks strategically, considering value, vision,Also consider participating in Ripple Effect, Ministries in South Carolina, 32 of them as CEO, and nowand the long term.Citygate Networks program that provides gover-strengthens rescue missions in Leads deliberation assertively and intelligently.nance training, documents review, and a coach the Southeast on Miracle Hillsfor two personal visits with your board. The next behalf. Reid and Barbara live in Simpsonville, South Carolina,Define roles and expectations early. The chairsin-person group training event is March 12. with five grandchildren nearby.job is managing the board well. He or she ensuresTo find out more, visit www.citygatenetwork.org, Contact Reid at rlehman@mira the integrity of the boards process. The CEOor contact me at rlehman@miraclehill.org. \x03clehill.org or at (864) 3804303.56 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024'