- Have directors sign ethical conduct agreements, and keep to
them.
- Spend time on building good relations on the board. The board
makes decisions together so get to know your fellow directors and
what makes them tick.
- Have good, well-chaired board meetings where things get done.
That's where you'll do most of your work as directors, so make
board meetings count.
- Make sure you have sound management-good governance depends on
it.
- Listen to different views on the board, even if you don't agree
with them. Once the board makes a decision, support it.
- Know your role. The directors have authority only as a
governing body, acting together, not as roaming co-op police.
- Plan your business cycle. Know ahead of time what you want to
get done in the coming 12 months.
- Act according to established by-laws/rules and policies; don't
make it up as you go along. If you find some policies aren't
working you can propose new ones to the members.
- Hold members' meetings regularly, but not more often than you
really need. Don't waste your members' time.
- If you have committees, make sure they know what their roles
are. Committees are advisory. Unlike the board, they don't have the
authority to make decisions.