How to Be a Better Trustee
Original content published in the February 2014 issue of Trustee magazine, vol. 67, no. 2. ©2014 by Health Forum Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted for digital use only.
By Connie Curran
Much has been written about the resources that hospitals should provide their board members to develop their governance expertise. Generally, a good orientation to the board’s work, educational sessions at board meetings, an annual retreat, periodic attendance at outside educational programs and frequent performance evaluation are some of the basics for any board.
It’s important, however, for trustees to realize that development is a two-way street. To be effective contributors to the board’s work, individual trustees must take responsibility for self-development as well. Here are five ways trustees can take personal responsibility for being good board members.