A two paragraph biography of the executive director is preferable to a four page resume, for example. Encourage board members to read and ask questions about the material. Ask board members to evaluate the usefulness of the manual each year. Revise the contents or format based on their comments. A thorough board manual can include the following materials.
Good governance depends on enlightened decision making.
Board members in turn need to be knowledgeable about the organization's status and needs if they are to make sound decisions that advance its mission. But boards often say that the information they receive hinders rather than facilitates good governance and strong leadership. They protest that they are overwhelmed with large quantities of irrelevant information, that they don't get enough information, or that they receive material too late to devote serious attention to it. An effective board information system should focus decision making, stimulate participation, and support an appropriate balance of responsibility between board and staff. It looks to the future and is not designed to measure performance.