The Board Self-Assessment is a powerful tool designed to enhance board governance performance, enabling it to operate at its fullest potential. This user-friendly survey provides each board member with a confidential and convenient way to give feedback on the board’s effectiveness, fostering honest and constructive evaluations.
One of the key features of this tool is its benchmarking component, which allows boards to compare their performance with other boards of directors. Benchmarking is crucial because it provides context for a board’s performance, highlighting strengths and identifying areas for improvement based on industry standards. It helps boards see where it stands relative to peers, fostering a deeper understanding of what high-performing boards are doing right and where adjustments may be needed.
Developed in collaboration between ASAE and BoardSource in 2009, this assessment has continually evolved, delivering valuable insights that drive meaningful governance improvements.
How often should associations conduct a board self-assessment?
AGI recommends that associations engage in a self-assessment process every two to three years.
What is the process for conducting an assessment with ASAE/AGI?
View the full process and timeline. We estimate that Board Self-Assessment takes one month from the date of purchase to the date the facilitator receives the organization’s final report.
Who is responsible for distributing the survey?
The organization selects a board representative to be a point of contact between ASAE and the organization. This person is called the facilitator. This person is responsible for providing e-mail addresses for all individuals participating in this survey. On behalf of the organization, ASAE will send an invitation containing a link to the board assessment. The e-mail invitation that each board member receives has a user-specific link to his or her personal survey. Please ensure they do not forward this e-mail to other board members. The name of someone from the organization appears in the FROM line to help participants recognize this as a legitimate e-mail.
If have questions about the purpose of the assessment, the facilitator is the best point of contact.
Will my name and email address be used for any purpose other than conducting this assessment?
No. It is the policy of ASAE/AGI that all individual identifying information provided by survey participants remains confidential. Names and e-mail addresses provided to ASAE/AGI are not shared with any other companies or organizations. Please review AGI’s privacy policy regarding the Assessments.
Will anybody in my organization see my answers?
No. Answers are kept confidential. They are submitted directly to AGI and individual answers cannot be accessed by anyone on the board or in the organization. Only the aggregate answers are shared with the board via a data report. Answers to open-ended questions will be grouped together in random order in the data report. The text will appear exactly as it was entered, but it will not be attached to a specific participant
Will the facilitator see my answers?
No. The facilitator cannot link responses to individuals. The facilitator, however, is given information about who on the board has completed the assessment.
How long do I have to complete this survey?
The deadline for completing this assessment is included in the e-mail. It takes each individual around 30-45 minutes to complete the assessment.
Can I start and resume the assessment at a later time?
Yes, participants can begin the assessment and then return to complete it at a later time. Answers are saved every time when moving to the next page. After the final page and the participant submits answers, no changes can be made. To have answers included in the data report, complete the entire assessment before the deadline date.
How much does the assessment cost?
Pricing for our Board Self-Assessment tool varies on your membership with ASAE or AGI. It is $749 for Members and $975 for Nonmembers