90p Admin

Good Afternoon Everyone!

As you heard from me at our retreat and our last meeting, the idea of expanding the board from 5 members to 7 members has been knocking around in my head. I'd like everyone to use this post as a place to put your thoughts, questions and pros/cons of this specific idea. Based on what everyone thinks we will know if we are ready to make a change or if we need to have more discussion, clarification, etc. 

My thought is that the two new board positions would be "at-large" positions with the idea that any new member would serve at least a year as an "at-large" member before moving into one of the other roles (treasurer, secretary, VP, Prez). 

Okay let's hear it! What do you think?

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Kate Krueger
90 Minds, Inc.
970-692-5113
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I like this model. I think that it would be helpful to have board members 'get their feet wet' before moving into a critical role. I also think that it will be helpful to have more brains (minds) providing input to manage our organization. One downside would be increased expenses for board activities. 

Karen

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Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
kolane@asifocus.com
90 Minds Secretary
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I need to ask the friendly question, for the purpose of seeking to understand, and no other reason, what benefits does it buy us? I'm applying the 1st half of Covey's 5th habit "Seek first to understand" :-) Here is my guess. Tell me if this sounds right or if I'm missing something obvious.
Pros:
* Compensates for member attrition for whatever specific reason a member may leave
* Gives the new at-large member an opportunity to participate on the Board and later move into another role 

If those are the reasons, I say aye but ONLY if it is financially sustainable to have 7 members. If it is not, then No! Can we do some quick estimates of what 2 addl board members would cost in terms of Board Retreat, MotM expenses, and other normal member expenses? Also does the current 2023 budget reflect that already? Just trying to be real.

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Alnoor Cassim
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Original Message:
Sent: 11/18/2022 10:19:00 AM
From: Alnoor Cassim
Subject: RE: Board Expansion - What do you think?

I need to ask the friendly question, for the purpose of seeking to understand, and no other reason, what benefits does it buy us? I'm applying the 1st half of Covey's 5th habit "Seek first to understand" :-) Here is my guess. Tell me if this sounds right or if I'm missing something obvious.
Pros:
* Compensates for member attrition for whatever specific reason a member may leave
* Gives the new at-large member an opportunity to participate on the Board and later move into another role 

If those are the reasons, I say aye but ONLY if it is financially sustainable to have 7 members. If it is not, then No! Can we do some quick estimates of what 2 addl board members would cost in terms of Board Retreat, MotM expenses, and other normal member expenses? Also does the current 2023 budget reflect that already? Just trying to be real.

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Alnoor Cassim
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Robert - Thanks for the background info! That's the info I was missing. I'm all on board too for 7 members to restore the previous board member structure and with Anne mentioning she can likely arrange next year's retreat cost for 8 people to under $20k, and I assume in the past the cost for 8 was comparable, this all seems financially feasible. Thumbs up for me.

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Alnoor Cassim
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 11:54
From: Robert Wood
Subject: Board Expansion - What do you think?

Alnoor

You hit the nail on the head for the reason to do it. We only kept the board to 5 members because we had a ton of issues to work through and some of those issues included personality conflicts that we knew had to be resolved and have since been resolved.

We've known the ideal number is 7. It gives us room to have at large members and hopefully a broader net to select officers from as well.

I'm in favor of expanding the board to 7 members now that the bulk of the issues have been resolved. 

Robert Wood

Original Message:
Sent: 11/18/2022 10:19:00 AM
From: Alnoor Cassim
Subject: RE: Board Expansion - What do you think?

I need to ask the friendly question, for the purpose of seeking to understand, and no other reason, what benefits does it buy us? I'm applying the 1st half of Covey's 5th habit "Seek first to understand" :-) Here is my guess. Tell me if this sounds right or if I'm missing something obvious.
Pros:
* Compensates for member attrition for whatever specific reason a member may leave
* Gives the new at-large member an opportunity to participate on the Board and later move into another role

If those are the reasons, I say aye but ONLY if it is financially sustainable to have 7 members. If it is not, then No! Can we do some quick estimates of what 2 addl board members would cost in terms of Board Retreat, MotM expenses, and other normal member expenses? Also does the current 2023 budget reflect that already? Just trying to be real.

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Alnoor Cassim
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Hi everyone 

Some two cents from me

It is worth noting that anything under 8 is considered very small and almost too small.   That being said - I think we all agree any increase should be limited.  I would recommend adding two spots if that is the direction we go.  

Status Quo Pros

• Decision making process much easier with fewer people
• Cost of managing the board is lower with less members
• Recruitment process not so onerous
• Succession planning challenges

Pros Bigger Board: 

• Enough numbers to meet diversity and skill base expectations
• Adequate numbers to " spread the workload" and retain interest at the same time
• Groups are not formed, numbers small enough to support individualism 
• Managing the board costs not excessive
• Board member engagement can be maximized without impacting on decision making  process 
• Orderly succession can be managed
•  Attendance generally is not an issue

CONS - Status Quo

• Less diversified board due to reduced numbers
• Board business may be impacted due to attendance issues
• Greater workload for individual member, potential for burn out
• Potential for less analysis and discussion on key issues due to lack of different perspectives
• Potential adverse impact of director turnover
• Less flexibility in succession planning (this is a big one)
• Less numbers may impact stakeholder perceptions of appropriate representation and governance

Even numbers may be problematic in 4 -4 vote - so I think keeping the number odd helps. 

In terms of cost the only real impact is the retreat.  This past year we came in over budget and close to $20k.  This was due to added time in the schedule, and some added people - at times there were 8-9 of us.  I believe I can still budget an effective amazing retreat for under $20k for 8 people.   

The conference is a little harder to predict because you have people that are traveling at different times and places.  And these costs are built into the Conference Budget.  So this to me is a non-factor.  Having more board members to divide and engage is only going to benefit 90 Minds and will stay within this budget.  

Food for thought

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Anne Sawyer
Executive Director
90 Minds, Inc. 1
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Original Message:
Sent: 11/18/2022 11:40:00 AM
From: Anne Sawyer
Subject: RE: Board Expansion - What do you think?

Hi everyone 

Some two cents from me

It is worth noting that anything under 8 is considered very small and almost too small.   That being said - I think we all agree any increase should be limited.  I would recommend adding two spots if that is the direction we go.  

Status Quo Pros

• Decision making process much easier with fewer people
• Cost of managing the board is lower with less members
• Recruitment process not so onerous
• Succession planning challenges

Pros Bigger Board: 

• Enough numbers to meet diversity and skill base expectations
• Adequate numbers to " spread the workload" and retain interest at the same time
• Groups are not formed, numbers small enough to support individualism 
• Managing the board costs not excessive
• Board member engagement can be maximized without impacting on decision making  process 
• Orderly succession can be managed
•  Attendance generally is not an issue

CONS - Status Quo

• Less diversified board due to reduced numbers
• Board business may be impacted due to attendance issues
• Greater workload for individual member, potential for burn out
• Potential for less analysis and discussion on key issues due to lack of different perspectives
• Potential adverse impact of director turnover
• Less flexibility in succession planning (this is a big one)
• Less numbers may impact stakeholder perceptions of appropriate representation and governance

Even numbers may be problematic in 4 -4 vote - so I think keeping the number odd helps. 

In terms of cost the only real impact is the retreat.  This past year we came in over budget and close to $20k.  This was due to added time in the schedule, and some added people - at times there were 8-9 of us.  I believe I can still budget an effective amazing retreat for under $20k for 8 people.   

The conference is a little harder to predict because you have people that are traveling at different times and places.  And these costs are built into the Conference Budget.  So this to me is a non-factor.  Having more board members to divide and engage is only going to benefit 90 Minds and will stay within this budget.  

Food for thought

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Anne Sawyer
Executive Director
90 Minds, Inc. 1
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I agree to expand the board to 7 members, especially with having them as at-large members prior to holding an office, if they desire to do so.

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Michelle Taylor
Dataself Corporation
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