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Having the right mix of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives on your board is essential for driving strategic vision, fostering innovation, and ensuring effective oversight.

Watch this video to learn 3 tips to build effective board composition.

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) provides tools, resources, and expert guidance you need to optimize your board’s composition.

Watch the video.

Transcript

Morgan Alexander:
Board members, don’t get caught flat footed by the next big issue in higher education. One way to prepare is by getting the right board composition. Here are 3 tips to help your board have the right expertise for the job.

Tip 1, create a comprehensive board composition plan. This is typically a 3 to 5 year plan that helps you understand what you want your board to look like. This is typically the responsibility of the governance committee, but the whole board needs to ensure that the plan aligns with the institution’s strategic goals.

Tip 2, use a board composition matrix like you see here. This tool maps out the current skills, attributes, and expertise of your board. And identify strengths and gaps that you need to fill. Consider demographics, experiences, skills, relationships. You need a diversity of perspectives. Don’t just think about the capacity for philanthropy.

Tip 3. Focus on long-term recruitment strategies. Identify and engage potential board members early. Look for those volunteers who show a deep love and commitment to your institution. By maintaining a watch list you don’t have to scramble when you’re looking for the perfect match.

And here’s a bonus tip for those public institutions or boards that don’t choose their own members. Keep that watch list and that matrix anyway and share it with the appointing authority. Demonstrate why having that particular person or skill set is critical for the board’s success. Find out more in the links below.

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