Board Self-Evaluation

Questionnaire
A Tool for Improving Governance Practice
For Voluntary and Community Organizations

Name_____________________________________ For period from ________to _________

(optional)

Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program

College of Continuing Education

VERSION II, 2011

 Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

Board Self-Evaluation
Questionnaire
Questions should be answered by all board members. When completed individually the results of
Sections A, B and C should be compiled, shared and discussed by the whole board to determine an
average group answer to each question and an overall section rating. Section D should be answered
by board members alone but not shared with the group. Sections A, B and C should also be
completed by the Executive Director or CEO. This version also includes Section E, which
provides feedback to the Chair of the Board.

Circle the response that best reflects your opinion. The rating scale for each statement is: Strongly
Disagree (1); Disagree (2); Maybe or Not Sure (3); Agree (4); Strongly Agree (5).

A. How Well Has the Board Done Its Job?

1. Our organization has a three to five-year strategic plan
or a set of clear long range goals and priorities. 1 2 3 4 5

2. The board’s meeting agenda clearly reflects our

strategic plan or priorities. 1 2 3 4 5

3. The board has insured that the organization also has a

one-year operational or business plan. 1 2 3 4 5

4. The board gives direction to staff on how to achieve the goals

primarily by setting or referring to policies. 1 2 3 4 5

5. The board ensures that the organization’s accomplishments

and challenges are communicated to members and
stakeholders. 1 2 3 4 5

6. The board has ensured that members and stakeholders

have received reports on how our organization has used its
financial and human resources. 1 2 3 4 5

7. ________________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5

My overall rating (add together the total of the numbers circled):

 Excellent (30-24)  Satisfactory (23-19)  Poor (18- 6)

© 2011 Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Dalhousie University Page 2
May be freely copied as is, or adapted by voluntary organizations for their own use.
 Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

B. How Well Has the Board Conducted Itself?

Circle the response that best reflects your opinion. The rating scale for each statement is: Strongly
Disagree (1); Disagree (2); Maybe or Not Sure (3); Agree (4); Strongly Agree (5).

1. Board members are aware of what is expected of them. 1 2 3 4 5

2. The agenda of board meetings is well planned

so that we are able to get through all necessary board
business. 1 2 3 4 5

3. It seems like most board members come to meetings

prepared. 1 2 3 4 5

4. We receive written reports to the board in

advance of our meetings. 1 2 3 4 5

5. All board members participate in important board

discussions. 1 2 3 4 5

6. We do a good job encouraging and dealing with

different points of view. 1 2 3 4 5

7. We all support the decisions we make. 1 2 3 4 5

8. The board has taken responsibility for recruiting new board

members. 1 2 3 4 5

9. The board has planned and led the orientation process for new
board members. 1 2 3 4 5

10. The board has a plan for director education and further board
development. 1 2 3 4 5

11. Our board meetings are always interesting. 1 2 3 4 5

12. Our board meetings are frequently fun. 1 2 3 4 5

My overall rating:(add together the total of the numbers circled)

 Excellent (60- 50)  Satisfactory (49-35)  Poor (34-12)

© 2011 Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Dalhousie University Page 3

May be freely copied as is, or adapted by voluntary organizations for their own use.
 Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire
C. Board’s Relationship with Executive Director

Circle the response that best reflects your opinion. The rating scale for each statement is: Strongly
Disagree (1); Disagree (2); Maybe or Not Sure (3); Agree (4); Strongly Agree (5).

1. There is a clear understanding of where the board’s role

ends and the Executive Director’s begins. 1 2 3 4 5

2. There is good two-way communication between the 1 2 3 4 5

board and the Executive Director.

3. The board trusts the judgment of the Executive Director 1 2 3 4 5

4. The Board provides direction to the Executive Director by

setting new policies or clarifying existing ones. 1 2 3 4 5

5. The board has discussed and communicated the kinds of

information and level of detail it requires from the Executive
Director on what is happening in the organization. 1 2 3 4 5

6. The board has developed formal criteria and a process

for evaluating the Executive Director 1 2 3 4 5

7. The board, or a committee of the board, has formally

evaluated the Executive Director within the past 12 months. 1 2 3 4 5

8. The board evaluates the Executive Director primarily on the

accomplishment of the organization’s strategic goals
and priorities and adherence to policy. 1 2 3 4 5

9. The board provides feedback and shows its appreciation

to the Executive Director on a regular basis. 1 2 3 4 5

10. The board ensures that the Executive Director

is able to take advantage of professional development
opportunities. 1 2 3 4 5

11. ________________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5

My overall rating: (add together the total of the numbers circled)

 Excellent (40+)  Satisfactory (28-39)  Poor (11-27)

© 2011 Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Dalhousie University Page 4

May be freely copied as is, or adapted by voluntary organizations for their own use.
 Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

D. Performance of Individual Board Members (Not to be shared)

Circle the response that best reflects your opinion. The rating scale for each statement is: Strongly
Disagree (1); Disagree (2); Maybe or Not Sure (3); Agree (4); Strongly Agree (5).

1. I am aware of what is expected of me as a board member. 1 2 3 4 5

2. I have a good record of meeting attendance. 1 2 3 4 5

3. I read the minutes, reports and other materials in advance

of our board meetings. 1 2 3 4 5

4. I am familiar with what is in the organization’s by-laws

and governing policies 1 2 3 4 5

5. I frequently encourage other board members

to express their opinions at board meetings. 1 2 3 4 5

6. I am encouraged by other board members to express

my opinions at board meetings. 1 2 3 4 5

7. I am a good listener at board meetings. 1 2 3 4 5

8. I follow through on things I have said I would do. 1 2 3 4 5

9. I maintain the confidentiality of all board decisions. 1 2 3 4 5

10. When I have a different opinion than the majority,

I raise it. 1 2 3 4 5

11. I support board decisions once they are made even

if I do not agree with them. 1 2 3 4 5

12. I promote the work of our organization in the

community whenever I had a chance to do so. 1 2 3 4 5

13. I stay informed about issues relevant to our mission

and bring information to the attention of the board. 1 2 3 4 5

My overall rating: (add together the total of the numbers circled)

 Excellent (40+)  Satisfactory (28-39)  Poor (11-27)

© 2011 Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Dalhousie University Page 5

May be freely copied as is, or adapted by voluntary organizations for their own use.
 Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

E. Feedback to the Chair of the Board (Optional)

Circle the response that best reflects your opinion. The rating scale for each statement is: Strongly
Disagree (1); Disagree (2); Maybe or Not Sure (3); Agree (4); Strongly Agree (5).

1. The board has discussed the role and responsibilities

of the Chair. 1 2 3 4 5

2. The Chair is well prepared for board meetings. 1 2 3 4 5

3. The Chair helps the board to stick to the agenda. 1 2 3 4 5

4. The Chair ensures that every board member has an

opportunity to be heard. 1 2 3 4 5

5. The Chair is skilled at managing different points of

view. 1 2 3 4 5

6. The Chair can be tough on us as a group when we get

out-of-line. 1 2 3 4 5

7. The Chair knows how to be direct with an individual board

member when their behaviour needs to change. 1 2 3 4 5

8. The Chair helps the board work well together. 1 2 3 4 5

9. The Chair demonstrates good listening skills. 1 2 3 4 5

10. The board supports the Chair. 1 2 3 4 5

11. The Chair is effective in delegating responsibility

amongst board members. 1 2 3 4 5

12. ___________________________________________ 1 2 3 4 5

My overall rating: (add together the total of the numbers circled)

 Excellent (40+)  Satisfactory (28-39)  Poor (11-27)

© 2011 Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Dalhousie University Page 6

May be freely copied as is, or adapted by voluntary organizations for their own use.