With this particular client, it was a group of highly educated and sophisticated members. Most of the individuals have served on other national boards, so they wanted more than the basics. I asked a few questions and determined that the basics were in fact needed in addition to more advanced knowledge.

For instance, most could not respond to my query about the three legal duties of a board. That was just the beginning and made me realize that I was on the right track by offering a board development session annually when I was a CEO. Do you? Can your board answer my query? What else might they know or not know? Think about how you can provide the training and information they need in order to protect themselves legally and lead your organization on a continued path of success. It’s a new decade, in this somewhat still new century. Maybe it is time for a new approach to your board orientation and development sessions. Just a thought.