In the other administration positions prior to the NBOD, the agendas were pretty well set month to month. Regions and Areas have cycles where planning needs to be addressed with some issues that pop up inside of a month or two. This work is different.
Each month a board member has a variety of conference calls and some board calls. Each usually lasts one to two hours. For the quarterly meetings of the NBOD, there is far more reading, preparation, and planning in advance of the meeting date. The discussion time during the board meetings is limited, so this preparation time is key to focusing the topics and the input.
When joining a team, any team, there is a period of adjustment to see how the members fit and work together as well as how best to communicate among the team. After a while, one begins to realize what you don't know and what you have to contribute immediately.
One of the most important factors is managing the resources available during the preparation and learning process. This includes consideration of budget, but, more significantly, time. In most cases, we are looking to simplify the volunteer positions to reduce the time commitment. There are a few instances where the quality and integrity of the program require that more time is invested. This will be evident as some new programs unfold.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Projects for the board are now beginning to take shape. In preparation for last weekend's meeting, read two books, reviewed the three inch (now four inch) binder on governance, and pushed the work projects around to make the Friday 11:00 AM orientation.
We worked through meals on Friday and Saturday with a total of 20 hours. Granted the meal time work is more relaxed and casual. The environment is very positive and open with the team focused on the quality of the participant's experience a primary driver.
The work and tasks are different from the RC or AD position. Where previously one would focus on the operations of a Region or Area including direct contact with players and families and being the leader in that realm, this is more about providing guidance to steer entities and the organization to improve customer service, to find ways to reduce the volunteer work load, and more broadly deliver the promise of our brand.
We worked through meals on Friday and Saturday with a total of 20 hours. Granted the meal time work is more relaxed and casual. The environment is very positive and open with the team focused on the quality of the participant's experience a primary driver.
The work and tasks are different from the RC or AD position. Where previously one would focus on the operations of a Region or Area including direct contact with players and families and being the leader in that realm, this is more about providing guidance to steer entities and the organization to improve customer service, to find ways to reduce the volunteer work load, and more broadly deliver the promise of our brand.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Here we go....
Prep time for this weekends 1.5 day session has totaled about ten hours of reading. By the end of tomorrow I should have a better handle on the scope of the position to which I have been elected. I've got a one hour orientation this morning before we get into the meeting portion.
There are some rookie items that I'll need to get settled: access to internet for the Chrome Book, getting my photo taken in a white shirt for regular publication, sitting at the end of the bench as the newbie, etc. In each of my last two administrative positions, I've created binders to organize and memorialize the work to be done. With this position and the use of the Chrome Book, I'm going to limit what is printed to reference items. There are a lot of documents sent with a one time only use (e.g. executive appointments) it would be pointless to print them.
Moving forward with these posts, I hope to relay to the reader(s) the time commitment and type of work involved in this position.
There are some rookie items that I'll need to get settled: access to internet for the Chrome Book, getting my photo taken in a white shirt for regular publication, sitting at the end of the bench as the newbie, etc. In each of my last two administrative positions, I've created binders to organize and memorialize the work to be done. With this position and the use of the Chrome Book, I'm going to limit what is printed to reference items. There are a lot of documents sent with a one time only use (e.g. executive appointments) it would be pointless to print them.
Moving forward with these posts, I hope to relay to the reader(s) the time commitment and type of work involved in this position.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Surprise
Election to the Board is a humbling honor. There are so many friends and friends of friends that provided counsel, guidance, and support on the decision to run and through the election. It was still a surprise to hear my name called as elected.
You will hear many say service to the board is a huge time commitment. Before deciding, some contacts advised me of the hours involved which equates to my previous position. Work with the board on a task force and a commissions, one needs a somewhat flexible schedule to be available for conference calls.
Since the DC weekend, there have been two meetings for a total of four hours committed. An upcoming June meeting will set the assignments we have for the year. Looking forward to the work on behalf of our great organization.
You will hear many say service to the board is a huge time commitment. Before deciding, some contacts advised me of the hours involved which equates to my previous position. Work with the board on a task force and a commissions, one needs a somewhat flexible schedule to be available for conference calls.
Since the DC weekend, there have been two meetings for a total of four hours committed. An upcoming June meeting will set the assignments we have for the year. Looking forward to the work on behalf of our great organization.
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