A Direct Line Blog

By Donya Parrish, MCU VP Risk Management

If you follow this blog regularly, you know that I have great respect for Tim Harrington and his TEAM Resources group. They do amazing work, which includes a regular blog, their recent book A Credit Union Guide to Strategic Governance, and the Financial Literacy webinars on our Director Training Tools page.

TEAM Resources has another secret — they provide free tools just for directors! That is free as in no charge, no obligation, available to you at no cost. Their Free Downloads page includes such gems as a CEO evaluation form, a board of directors meeting evaluation form, and a succession plan outline. Those are just a sample of the many tools your board might need in your belt. And why reinvent the wheel?

My favorite on the free download list is a matrix that lays out CEO responsibilities and board responsibilities. It shows very clearly whose role lies where and could be a valuable training tool when you have a new CEO, a changing board, or just want to clarify who should be spending their valuable time where. The matrix also notes places where it might be appropriate to have a CEO assist, but not take control of the process.

I encourage you to check out all the valuable options out there, but the matrix could be the most valuable information you come across in your work with the credit union. After requesting it, make sure you don’t let dust collect on it. Share it with your fellow board members, discuss it with your CEO, and let Tim and his team know how much you appreciate their help, especially at that price!