Perfect board governance is a concept that is difficult to define. It is a goal boards must strive towards. They can get there if the boards understand what good board governance looks like.

To accomplish this, boards need to be well-structured, selected, and oriented toward the future. They must be able of balancing the needs and wants of the company, as well as the needs of the stakeholders. They must also be able to handle new regulatory pressures when they arise.

The success of a non-profit is dependent on its board’s ability to tackle these governance levels in corporate structure challenges, and ensure that they’re set up for a long-term sustainable future. This could mean maintaining the sustainability of an organization’s programs or ensuring that it is in good shape for accreditation A strong board can help its members fulfill their duties as trustees and contribute to the community.

A key structural element is establishing a proper agenda and schedule for the board. It must be clear enough for directors to be able to see what matters need their attention, and which ones can be delegated to committees or management. It should also clarify the times when the board needs to be informed or consulted on matters that do not require a decision by the board in its entirety.

In the end, boards must be able to recognize their own shortcomings and areas for improvement. An annual evaluation is useful as it allows the board to compare its performance to that of its peers.