When you joined your board, you became part of a team. Your board's effectiveness depends on how well members work together on that team. A board may be composed of five or seven talented, committed individuals, but if they don't work well as a team, the board won't accomplish much.
Good teams share some basic elements.
The boards that get the most done are the ones which know they have a mission to accomplish together. They have discussed and agreed on a common understanding of why the board exists and the function it serves. Moreover, they share a common vision of the future they want for the district. While individuals on the board may not always agree on the best path to get to that future, their shared vision and sense of mission help draw them together and aid decisions. Good teams are organized and know how they will deal with specific situations.