We’ve been really impressed by the monthly newsletter of Brown Governance – not coincidentally, the same people who will be presenting the governance session at the National Orchestras Meeting in Winnipeg in June.

The February issue consists of a quick yet thorough “top ten” list for Board Chairs, ranging from

#1:  Remember Why You Meet:  Meetings are intended to solve problems and make decisions.  A Chair’s job is to be a leader that causes change – to move the organization forward from where it is currently to the next place in its journey.  The Chair should be able to lead the meeting in such a way as to solve problems and make decisions.

To

#10:  Keep Your Commitments to People:  Chairs can be counted on.  People expect to be able to take the Chair at their word.  Chairs should never make a promise they cannot keep and they should not be afraid to admit it when they don’t have the answer.  If the Chair breaks a commitment people lose trust not only in the Chair, but also in the organization.

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