Taking on the role of board member is not for all, but it can be a great way to learn about governance best practices and expose yourself to a larger network. It is particularly beneficial for young people looking to make progress in their careers since they can learn to make decisions in a group instead of on their own. It also aids them to improve their understanding of the importance of effective communication, that makes them more effective future managers.
A board consists members who each have their own area of expertise. While each position comes with distinct obligations, they all share three legal responsibilities that are important to meet:
Protecting the interests and investments of shareholders – A board is responsible for ensuring that the company’s activities are designed to maximize the value of its stock and that investors are provided with timely information regarding any security or financial risk that could affect their investment.
Implementing policies that provide financial supervision – Boards are responsible for creating policies that help an organization monitor its expenditures, evaluate the extent to which they are in line with its budget, and keep track of the amount of actual losses, theft or confusion.
Conducting an annual self-assessment. A board is responsible for conducting an annual assessment of its own performance in order to assess whether its members are performing effectively. This could include the ability of a board to manage risk, set priorities, and also recruit new members to fill in gaps in its expertise.
Facilitating meetings: A board must ensure that its members attend regular meetings and engage in productive discussions. It is crucial to utilize software for managing board meetings that allows communication between members and ensures efficient meetings.