___You have decided that a Board of Directors can strengthen your organization in one or more of the following ways: Perform tasks of the organization Support Convince others Contribute skills Advise Help with fundraising ___You are aware of the fact that it is usually necessary to have a Board in order to receive nonprofit status or public funding ___You have decided on the type of Board that is best for your organization: Traditional Steering committee Advisory committee Board of Directors that reflects the philosophy and structure of a collaborative program ___You have decided on the reasons why your organization needs a Board of Directors: Funding, traditional structure, and nonprofit status Gaining connections with the community Building organizational credibility Attracting good people to your organization and your cause Using board members' talents and skills Maintaining organizational balance Safeguarding the mission ___You have decided that you need a Board of Directors ___You have decided on the purpose of the Board you want: A working Board that helps with the actual functioning of the organization A Board that exists largely for credibility A Board that takes advantage of the direct benefits to the organization of members' talents or training A fundraising Board to bring money into the organization A Board to safeguard the mission and philosophy of the organization ___The Board's relationship to the organization has been determined ___You have decided on the appropriate size of your Board of Directors ___The Board members have been matched to the jobs you want them to do and to the other members of the Board ___The Board members buy into the basic principles of the organization ___The actual Board members have been selected ___The initial meeting has been held on neutral ground ___Introductions have been made ___You have given a report of the state of the organization ___There is a discussion of the organization's goals and of the tasks necessary to meet those goals ___There has been a preliminary discussion of the other committees needed ___The officers have been elected: President or Chair Vice-President or Vice Chair Secretary or Clerk Treasurer ___Committee chairs have been appointed if only temporarily ___Members have been assigned to committees ___A Board meeting schedule has been determined
