CPRE Strategic Leadership and Governance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A park board's primary governance responsibility in relation to the executive director is to:
- Manage daily operational decisions
- Hire, evaluate, and support the executive director while setting policy direction (Correct answer)
- Approve all individual purchase orders
- Supervise front-line recreation staff directly
Correct answer: Hire, evaluate, and support the executive director while setting policy direction
The board governs by setting policy and delegating operational authority to the executive director, maintaining oversight without micromanaging daily operations.
Question 2: Which leadership model emphasizes motivating followers by connecting their work to a broader mission and inspiring commitment beyond self-interest?
- Transactional leadership
- Autocratic leadership
- Transformational leadership (Correct answer)
- Laissez-faire leadership
Correct answer: Transformational leadership
Transformational leadership inspires followers through vision, values, and a sense of higher purpose rather than relying primarily on rewards and punishments.
Question 3: A SWOT analysis used in strategic planning identifies:
- Staffing needs, wages, overtime, and turnover
- Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (Correct answer)
- Sites, water, operations, and technology
- Scheduling, weather, outreach, and training
Correct answer: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
SWOT analysis maps internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats to inform strategic direction and priorities.
Question 4: The principle of 'fiduciary duty' for park board members means they must:
- Attend every community event
- Act in the best interest of the agency and the public, not for personal gain (Correct answer)
- Approve all capital expenditures over $1,000
- Sign all agency contracts personally
Correct answer: Act in the best interest of the agency and the public, not for personal gain
Fiduciary duty obligates board members to prioritize the agency's mission and public interest, avoiding conflicts of interest and self-dealing.
Question 5: An executive director who builds coalitions with schools, hospitals, and nonprofits to advance park programming is demonstrating:
- Contract administration skills
- Community partnership and collaborative leadership (Correct answer)
- Internal budget management
- Risk transfer strategy
Correct answer: Community partnership and collaborative leadership
Collaborative leadership creates mutually beneficial relationships across sectors, expanding the agency's reach and resources through shared goals.
Question 6: Open meetings laws (sunshine laws) require park boards to:
- Conduct all discussions via email before meetings
- Hold most official deliberations and votes in public sessions accessible to residents (Correct answer)
- File meeting minutes with the federal government
- Limit attendance to agency staff and board members only
Correct answer: Hold most official deliberations and votes in public sessions accessible to residents
Open meetings laws mandate that governmental bodies conduct official business in public, ensuring transparency and community access to decision-making.
CPRE Strategic Leadership and Governance 1
A park board's primary governance responsibility in relation to the executive director is to: