Survey Results & Analysis for
NCMA Board of Directors Meeting
Survey (March 19, 2016)
1
Executive Summary
This report contains a detailed statistical analysis of the results to the survey
titled NCMA Board of Directors Meeting Survey (March 19, 2016) . The
results analysis includes answers from all respondents who took the survey
in the 13 day period from Saturday, March 19, 2016 to Thursday, March 31,
2016. 20 completed responses were received to the survey during this time.
2
1) Did you receive the board packet (board briefs, operations
report, etc.) with enough time to prepare for the board meeting?
Strongly Agree
18
Agree
1
Somewhat Agree
1
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• A nit, but it would have been nice to have the zip file at the top of the list. I opened the
documents individually then realized there was a zip file at the bottom.
• Karen is always out in front of things
• Given busy calendars it would be helpful if we had the briefs two weeks prior to the
meeting.
3
2) Was the relationship between the agenda topics and the
board's strategy clear?
Strongly Agree
11
Agree
8
Somewhat Agree
1
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• This should get even better with a new strategic plan.
• There was an extra emphasis on strategic alignment.
• Large portion of agenda was devoted to the strategy
• Since we just approved a new strategic plan it is hard to say if the topics and plan
matched.
4
3) Did the board discussions focus on strategy and policy
issues versus operational issues?
Strongly Agree
3
Agree
14
Somewhat Agree
3
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• For the most part. I like the fact that John brought data forward to strategically assess whether we should pursue
ANSI accreditation. More work to do on other options, but when the staff presents data this way we can focus on
strategy.
• It's hard sometimes to clearly demarcate strategy and ancillary tactical "stuff"
• We did get into tactical details on Membership, but I believe this is key to the strategy of the Association.
• I think we got a bit too far down in the weeds on the membership issues, but they were all great ideas
nonetheless.
• The BoD can't avoid all operational issues, but as long as a block of time is set aside for the strategy, the balance
will be maintained.
• I think it was productive that we covered several operational issues. We might want to reconsider this question
and what it is trying to assess.
5
4) Did you receive sufficient information related to the
health of the association's program and services?
Strongly Agree
12
Agree
6
Somewhat Agree
1
Somewhat Disagree
1
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• Very detailed oriented presentations.
• I like the idea of a scorecard on key programs. That would help keep the Board focused on the key
programs and program metrics.
• We need to see a chart showing membership for the past 10 years and the number of chapters for
the last 10 years. Terry identified this as our burning platform, so we need this data front and center
to keep the BoD laser focused on these issues.
• Time limitations is the primary challenge.
6
5) Do you think the board is adequately monitoring the
association's financial health?
Strongly Agree
18
Agree
1
Somewhat Agree
1
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• F&B committee does a great job. Need to ensure there is good continuity in committee
members.
• This is a challenge and quarterly meetings would provide more insight.
7
6) Were discussions constructive and meaningful with facts
and supporting information?
Strongly Agree
8
Agree
10
Somewhat Agree
2
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• It would have been more helpful to have details of the Membership Working Group's findings so we
could visually understand the trends and data underlying the discussion.
• Feisty Board participation. Loved it!
• I feel like the ANSI discussion was only marginally helpful in that it provided some cost information, but
it also showed that little to no analysis had been done on the relative costs/benefits of pursuing that
course of action. It's tough to have a meaningful discussion on that front when we're all still left
wondering about why we're even considering this.
• I would have liked to see more data in the membership discussions. We heard about the conclusions
without seeing the underlying data.
8
7) Was adequate time allowed for board members to
ask questions and explore issues?
Strongly Agree
10
Agree
7
Somewhat Agree
3
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• There was so much on the agenda that I don't think the more reserved Directors always had a chance to
speak up.
• There was a cognitive effort to allow all board members to engage.
• Feel like we are always rushed during the committee reports. Not sure how to solve that problem but
something to think about.
• I think the time allowed was adequate, but the overall agenda seemed rushed, given flight times and the fact
that the membership discussion was not reigned in on the front end of the meeting.
• Except for a couple of topics there was adequate time.
9
8) Did the board discuss and constructively challenge
recommendations made by the president, executive director, or
other board members?
Strongly Agree
11
Agree
7
Somewhat Agree
2
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• The BoD doesn't seem shy about talking or challenging.
10
9) Did the board effectively make decisions and take
actions when needed?
Strongly Agree
9
Agree
10
Somewhat Agree
1
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments: None
11
10) Did the board use the association's mission and vision to
drive its decisions?
Strongly Agree
9
Agree
8
Somewhat Agree
2
Somewhat Disagree
1
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• Yes, especially with the briefing of the final Strategic Plan.
• Feel like we are always struggling with this issue and need to think outside the box on how to
continually make our decisions based on our mission and vision.
• The mission and vision are evolving and to some degree future expectations drove the discussion and
decisions.
12
11) Did the meeting foster trust and respect among board
members?
Strongly Agree
14
Agree
6
Somewhat Agree
0
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• BoD members are very collegial in their discussions.
• Everyone was very respectful.
13
12) Did you feel engaged in the discussion?
Strongly Agree
15
Agree
4
Somewhat Agree
1
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments: Absolutely
14
13) Did the board use effective meeting practices (such as
setting clear agendas, having good facilitation, and
managing time well)?
Strongly Agree
15
Agree
3
Somewhat Agree
2
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• Some people appeared to be frustrated on the limits on discussion of some topics.
15
14) Were accurate action items recorded and read at the end of
the meeting for concurrence by the board members?
Strongly Agree
16
Agree
4
Somewhat Agree
0
Somewhat Disagree
0
Disagree
0
Strongly Disagree
0
Comments:
• The action items from last Board were not fully accomplished, however. Perhaps in the preparation of
the Board Meeting, reminders could be sent to those with the actions?
• Agree that we should be reviewing the last meetings action items at the beginning of each board
meeting to ensure we have responded to them all.
• yes, but there needs to be a time set aside on the agenda to review the action items from the
previous meeting and the actions taken to address them.
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15) Any other comments, observations or recommendations to improve the
board’s performance?
• Good meeting
• Each meeting gets better. Mike tries to respond to requests for more, but
relevant information. Board members must read the Briefs before the
meeting.
• If we blow through the results of this survey at the next BoD meeting, this
will be the final time I invest the time to take the survey.
• Given that there are three board meetings a year, meetings really need to be
at least 8 hours.
17