------------------------------------------------- To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------- on 6/28/04 9:57 AM, "Mary Baker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > A "self-perpetuating board" is what? How is it distinguished from a > non-self-perpetuating board? > > Mary Baker > East Side
The self-perpetuating body or board selects its own new members. A non-self-perpetuating body or board is elected by the organization's membership. Many boards of directors or trustees - especially those of foundations, corporations and small nonprofits - are self-selecting and self-perpetuating. Often the senior staff member - president or executive director - will recruit prospective board members, often in consultation with the board's executive committee or a nominating committee selected by the board chair. In many cases, the officers are pre-selected by having vice-presidents, etc., in line to succeed presidents or board chairs. This system is not as accountable as a membership-elected system, except under the legal requirements for board members - called the board's fiduciary responsibility. It sounds all financial, but other issues are lumped in under that rubric because they affect the financial stability and integrity of an organization. Other boards are elected at annual meetings of the larger membership, but the officers are elected by the board members, usually for terms certain - 1 year, 2 years, etc. Even in this configuration, unfortunately, the membership often rubber-stamps the recommendations of the present board or the nominating committee reporting its slate of new and returning board members. Government bodies are almost always selected by the executive (president, governor, mayor) based on applications and insider=trading, some needing advice and consent of the legislative body, some not. Andy Driscoll Crocus Hill/Ward 2 ------ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
