Blog / Why every board needs a yearly self-check, ways to use surveys and more

Why every board needs a yearly self-check, ways to use surveys and more

June 10, 2025

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Why every board needs a yearly self-check

Board self-evaluations are a great way to check in on what’s working. And since no one directly oversees the board, it’s important you take time each year to honestly assess how your board is doing — both as individual members and as a team.

This month, we explore why regular assessments help boards stay focused and effective.

Not sure where to start? Our board self-evaluation checklist is a tool you can use to help spark honest conversations and keep your board growing stronger.

Boost board engagement with customizable Surveys and Polls

Make better board decisions with BoardEffect’s Surveys and Polls feature — an easy way to gather feedback, vote on issues, and check engagement. With flexible question formats and customizable templates, it’s built to fit your board’s needs.

Use it to update skill sets, streamline voting and take pulse checks. And save time with reusable survey layouts, perfect for keeping things efficient and on track.

How Presbyterian SeniorCare uses BoardEffect for board evaluations

Presbyterian SeniorCare Network has streamlined its board evaluation process with BoardEffect’s built-in survey tools. These tools enable the creation of custom surveys tailored to the board’s specific needs, from in-depth annual evaluations to pulse surveys on particular topics. This has not only increased participation and streamlined decision-making but also made it easier to gather and analyze responses, leading to more informed and effective board decisions.

“It is easy to build a custom survey to obtain the responses to the precise questions you need to ask as opposed to using a predefined tool provided by an outside vendor. We get to implement in-depth annual surveys or pulse surveys on a particular topic. It has helped with board decisions and bringing forward common themes through the survey process of several boards.” Liz Thompson, Executive Assistant to the President & Corporate Secretary and Corporate Compliance Officer

Find out more.

News and Events

[On demand webinar] Developing high-impact boards: Skills, strategies & tools you need

Did you miss our webinar on board development? Good news, you can still watch “Developing high-impact boards: Skills, strategies & tools you need” on demand for practical tips on how to future-proof your board with the right development strategies, practical tools and essential leadership skills.

Watch the replay here.

25 June 2025: The promise and perils of ai in nonprofit governance: Navigating power inequities, innovation and ethics

As artificial intelligence reshapes how decisions are made, how power is distributed, and how organizations uphold their missions, nonprofit governance stands at a critical crossroads. This cutting-edge conversation with Billie Sandberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Public Administration, Portland State University and Dottie Schindlinger, co founder of BoardEffect and Executive Director of Diligent Institute will delve into the opportunities Al presents for advancing effectiveness and innovation – alongside the profound risks of bias, inequity, and ethical drift.

Designed for academics/researchers, nonprofit consultants, and board members, the session will challenge participants to grapple with how Al is transforming governance structures and practices, and to envision new approaches that preserve accountability, inclusivity, and public trust in an Al-driven future.

14 – 16 July 2025: 2025 World Credit Union Conference

This year’s World Credit Union Conference takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, under the theme “The Future is Cooperative.” The three-day event will feature industry-leading keynote speakers, a new Guided Networking Workshop, and ample opportunities for attendees to connect with peers and leaders in the credit union movement.

More nonprofit events and special events to celebrate with your board.

Celebrating our Community Champions

Congratulations to Belinda Loke, Board Director of QEC and Kids Hope Australia, and Founder and Principal Lawyer of Legalexa! Belinda is being recognized this month as one of our Community Champions.

Would you like to nominate someone for our Diligent Community Champions? Nominate your champion here!

Leading with purpose: Practical tips for purpose-driven work

We have just launched our first podcast! We’re starting with the topic of board development and we interviewed two nonprofit leaders who shared their expert advice. Listen to Cheretta A. Clerkley, Executive Director of APBS and Julie Castro Abrams, CEO, How Women Lead here (and wherever you find your podcasts).

What’s trending

Our pick of the newest and most popular items on our blog this month:

Give your feedback and win!

We love to hear what leaders think about issues and key topics that affect mission-driven organizations. Please take a moment to fill out our latest quick survey on how transparent your nonprofit is for the chance to win a $50 gift card!