The Community Tool Box

Checklist:

Here you’ll find a checklist of core tasks.

 

1. Assess organizational needs and resources and develop goals to enhance the functioning of the organization.

__ The group regularly assesses organizational strengths & weaknesses.

__ The group regularly assesses organizational resources & community assets

__ The group regularly identifies organizational needs or barriers.

__ Assess organizational needs & resources include diverse stakeholders with varied roles & responsibilities within the group

__ The organization has stated goals & objectives for improving the internal structure & operations of the organization.

 

2. Develop an organizational structure.

__ Establish a clear governing structure appropriate for the goals of the organization & its stage of development.

__ Establish a clearly defined structure or method for operating to support the functions & activities of the organization or group.

__ There are formal roles & responsibilities established for all levels of the organizational structure.

__ The group regularly reviews the structure of the organization to identify potential needs.

 

3. Establish operating mechanisms for doing things within the organization.

__ The organization has bylaws.

__ The organization has a document that summarizes the responsibilities & procedures of the organization including protocols & rules for decision making, information sharing, conflict resolution, & financial policies.

__ The group uses & regularly reviews the operational procedures & makes any necessary changes.

__ The group holds regular & consistent meetings at all appropriate levels.

__ There is a clear method & protocol for communication in the organization across multiple levels.

__ The organization appropriately documents & records organizational activities.

__ The group has adequate access to technology including: (a) communication technology & (b) computer equipment & software.

__ The group has an appropriate working environment & sufficient resources necessary to support the operations of the group.

 

4. Determine how volunteers will be recruited and used in the organization.

__ Decide whether volunteers are appropriate to be used in the organization at the current stage of development.

__ The organization has a process or plan for identifying & recruiting volunteers

__ The organization or group recruits volunteers with diverse skills, professional expertise, background, & experience.

__ The organization provides orientation, training, & supervision for all volunteers.

__ All volunteer positions have written roles & responsibilities that are clearly stated.

__ Volunteers are screened as appropriate for their roles & responsibilities in the organization.

__ There is a process for ensuring that volunteers are matched with appropriate volunteer opportunities that maximize the interest, skills, knowledge, expertise, & experience of the volunteers.

__ The organization has identified & protected volunteers from any liabilities.

 

5. Determine how the organization will recruit, hire, and use paid employees.

__ The organization has identified which roles & responsibilities are better served by staff, consultants, &/or volunteers.

__ The organization has written job descriptions & responsibilities for all paid positions.

__ The organization has a fair process & written protocol for recruiting & hiring staff & consultants.

__ The organization regularly identifies the training & technical support needs of staff & develops ongoing plans to assure necessary training or technical support for staff members.

__ The organization has an appropriate division of labor in which tasks are appropriately delegated to staff & other paid positions.

__ All staff are adequately supervised & supported & have some form of accountability for work performance.

__The organization formally recognizes & rewards the performance & contributions of volunteers.

 

6. Evaluate and recognize the performance of staff and volunteers.

__ The organization formally recognizes & rewards the performance & accomplishments of staff on a regular basis.

__ Volunteers & staff are given formal opportunities to regularly assess/provide feedback to management regarding the group.

__ There is a clear evaluation process used by the group to assess performance of staff & volunteers (including board members.

__ Establish clear benchmarks & a written statement for all staff & volunteers (including board members) regarding how individual performance will be measured & assessed.

 

7. Monitor financial resources of the organization.

__ The organization has clearly identified & written roles & responsibilities for the governing structure & staff for monitoring the financial resources of the organization.

__ The organization has an operational budget that indicates all income & expenses from all revenue sources.

__ Written policies & procedures are established & followed to assure appropriate financial procedures & fiscal controls.

__ The organization or group has identified an appropriate level for cash operating reserves.

__ The governing structure of the organization understands the financial position of the organization & regularly reviews financial statements & reports.

__ Conduct regular audit & review of financial records by a finance professional with no vested interest in the organization.

__ The governing body monitor requires financial reports & assures reporting requirements of appropriate federal & state agencies & funding agencies are appropriately filed & submitted.

__ The organization has & uses a plan for securing financial resources for the organization.