Giving Compass' Take:

•Kris Putnam-Walkerly, writing for Putnam Consulting Group, reveals six questions that board members need to ask CEOs. 

• How can CEOs foster healthy and productive relationships with board members?

• Check out the Giving Compass Boards and Governance Magazine. 

A board member’s job includes staying focused on the big picture.

Serving on the board of a philanthropic foundation isn’t just about approving grants. It’s about being a good steward of resources and sharing responsibility for the foundation’s impact.

Too often the focus tends to be on board meeting preparation and the efficiency of these meetings. Take a moment to break from the routine and consider asking your foundation CEO these questions to help the organization focus on the big picture.

  1. How does this fit within our strategy?
  2. What’s our progress on our strategic plan?
  3. How much time do staff spend preparing for board meetings and what does that cost? 
  4. What can we do to reduce the cycle time of grantmaking?
  5. Are we taking enough risks? 
  6.  How can we be more helpful to you? 

Read the full article about questions for board members to ask CEO by Kris Putnam-Walkerly at Putnam Consulting Group.