Board Development & Governance Flashcards
7 cards from real CNE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Board Development & Governance flashcards as text
A board member who consistently misses meetings and fails to participate in committees should be addressed through:
Answer: A conversation by the board chair and reference to the board commitment agreement
Addressing underperformance begins with a direct, private conversation grounded in the expectations documented in the board commitment form.
What is the primary governance reason for requiring a quorum at board meetings?
Answer: To ensure decisions are made by a sufficient number of board members to be legitimate
A quorum requirement ensures that a binding decision reflects the will of a meaningful portion of the board, not just a few members.
Which approach is considered a best practice when onboarding new board members?
Answer: Providing a structured orientation covering mission, finances, governance, and key programs
A structured orientation program ensures new members understand their governance responsibilities, the organization's finances, and strategic priorities from day one.
In a nonprofit, the board's role in CEO/executive director evaluation should be:
Answer: Led by the full board with defined criteria tied to strategic goals
The full board should conduct a regular, structured evaluation using objective criteria aligned with organizational goals to hold leadership accountable.
Which scenario demonstrates the board exercising proper strategic oversight?
Answer: The board sets a three-year strategic priority and reviews progress at each meeting
Setting strategic priorities and monitoring progress against them is the board's governance role, while implementation is delegated to staff.
A nonprofit's conflict of interest policy should be reviewed and signed by board members:
Answer: Annually, and whenever a potential conflict arises
Annual review and attestation of the conflict of interest policy keeps all board members current on their obligations and surfaces new conflicts that may have emerged.
Which statement about nonprofit board liability is most accurate?
Answer: Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance can help protect board members from personal liability for good-faith decisions
D&O insurance protects board members acting in good faith from personal liability arising from their governance decisions.