EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

See CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER		  
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  GOVERNING BODY

A person or persons with the legal authority and responsibility to set policy and oversee the operations of an organization. Generally, the governing body is a group, such as a board of directors or board of trustees. While the exact responsibilities of the governing body depend on the nature and character of the organization, the governing body has minimum fiduciary responsibilities to the organization set by statute, regulation, and case law, and typically assume responsibilities for long term planning, risk management, and evaluation and effectiveness of management.		  
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  CULTURE

The customs, habits, values, skills, technology, beliefs, and religious, social, and political behaviors of a group of people in a specific period of time.		  
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  SERVICE

One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.		  
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  EXTERNAL EAP

Any employee assistance program that is contracted for by an outside organization (as opposed to one that is operated by a host organization).

  
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  PROGRAM

A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.		  
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  MANAGEMENT

See ADMINISTRATION		  
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  PERFORMANCE

A measure of how well an organizational system provides services to consumers. Performance is often based on key indicators, such as rates of service, cost per consumer, degree of satisfaction with services, and extent of consumer access to services.		  
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  LEADERSHIP

A nonprofit organization's leadership consists of its governing body, chief executive officer, and may also include its senior management. In a public agency the term refers to the agency head and administration team. The term "leadership" is not generally applied to for-profit organizations. With respect to COA standards, in for-profit organizations the term leadership applies to the owner and board of directors if one exists.		  
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  OBJECTIVE

A sub-goal stated in operational terms, i.e., a statement that makes clear what expected results are to be measured or assessed.		  
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  ADVISORY GROUP

A group of individuals selected by an organization's governing body or management who possess unique skills and/or knowledge and whose role is to make recommendations, provide information, and/or share input from stakeholders. Advisory groups do not have formal governance authority or responsibilities. Advisory groups can be ongoing or ad hoc.		  
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  PLANNING

The process of specifying objectives, evaluating the means for their achievement, and exercising deliberate decision making about appropriate courses of action.		  
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  POLICY

A written statement of principles, values, or intent that provides a basis for consistent decision making and guides the actions of staff, management, and board of trustees. A policy is intentionally broad in its language and application. The following is an example of an anti-discrimination policy:

"[Organization Name] shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services."

In contrast, a procedure is a detailed, step-by-step description of a process. It tells the reader how to do something. Generally, policies are implemented through procedures. For example, the above anti-discrimination policy would require a detailed grievance procedure in order to operationalize it within an organization.

The governing body has the fiduciary responsibility for setting organizational policy. Therefore, policies must be approved and periodically reviewed by the organization's governing body. However, the governing body typically delegates (via policy) the responsibility for policy development to management. In owner-operated for-profit companies, the owner can act as the company's governing body, depending on the company's corporate structure.

In a public agency the responsibility for setting and reviewing policies may belong to the agency's management team, elected officials, another governmental agency, or as is often the case, a combination of the above.

  
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  SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Employees who assume administrative oversight for the organization's programs. Senior management positions may include vice presidents, chief operating officers, assistant commissioners, directors, or other positions that involve management of program administration. The term does not include supervisors of direct service workers.		  
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  ADVANCED DEGREE

A degree at the Master's level or beyond from an institution of higher education. An advanced degree does not include a Bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or an educational certificate.		  
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  COMMUNITY

A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.		  
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Governance
  
Private Org Public Agency  

GOV 8: Executive Director

 

The executive director effectively collaborates with the governing body, as appropriate, to enunciate and achieve the organization’s mission and vision; promote a healthy organizational culture, and oversee and manage the organization’s operations.

Interpretation: There are varying titles for the head of an organization, such as President/CEO and Executive Director. Depending upon the type of organization or service (e.g., multi-service organization, large or small organization, internal or external EAP program, etc.) the individual fulfilling this role may have other designations, such as Operating Manager, Program Director, or Program Officer. The standard requires that there is a clearly identified person to whom the governing body delegates the day-to-day management of the organization and whom it holds accountable for the organization's performance.

Research Note: Some literature proposes a key to success in a leadership role is achieving and defining strategic clarity. Strategic clarity can be defined as aligning an organization’s operational systems and structures through setting priorities, establishing performance measures and making trade-offs around a common objective in efforts to gain organizational stability.

GOV 8.01

 

The executive director’s primary responsibilities are:

  1. management of the organization;
  2. implementation of organization-wide, long-term strategic planning and periodic reviews;
  3. encouragement of timely, engaged, mission-oriented board deliberations;
  4. working with the governing body to secure adequate resources;
  5. development of policies governing the organization’s program of services, planned and coordinated with the governing body, as appropriate;
  6. attendance at all meetings of the governing body or advisory group, except possibly those held to review the executive’s performance, status, or compensation;
  7. to actively promote strategic, planned adaptation to changing conditions;
  8. provision of regular reports to the governing body on the organization’s operations, finances, and implementation of the long-term plan; and
  9. establish a workplace environment that is respectful of and supportive of the rights and welfare of the organization’s staff, volunteers and consumers.
related FIN 4
Interpretation: The executive director involves, consults with, and gives leadership to the governing body and/or advisory group in visioning, planning, policy, and decision-making processes. The executive director and governing body work as an effective team with information, coordination, staffing, and assistance provided by the executive, to support the governing body in its leadership, policy making, and oversight functions.
Interpretation: Regarding element g, the executive director should stay current on issues that could impact service delivery and operations that may require sustained efforts to address logical changes. Adapting to changing conditions requires the leader to be flexible and capable of addressing systemic challenges that may require development of new processes, systems, or skills.
Note: Elements (d), (f), and (h) do not apply to organizations not otherwise required to have a governing body.
Research Note: Current research emphasizes the importance of leadership’s visibility outside the organization, investing in activities such as advocating and educating about the organization’s mission and collaborating with other organizations in the community. Investing in these activities can assist organizations in mitigating uncertain economic climates and proactively identifying opportunities for change.
Research Note: Setting broad long-term goals rather than rigid, detailed action plans allows for flexibility in adapting to changing conditions by maintaining focus on the core objectives and underscores leadership responsibility in driving organizational impact.

GOV 8.02

 
The executive director inspires, directs, and works effectively with senior management to provide the structure, values, leadership, and adaptive, technical, and managerial processes and activities that maintain a positive, productive, ethical culture.
related GOV 6.02,  PQI 1
Interpretation: Adaptive processes address actions and innovations made in response to changing conditions.

GOV 8.03

 

The executive director is qualified by:

  1. an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the organization’s mission and services;
  2. at least five years of related leadership experience;
  3. competence in administering services to families, adults, youth and/or children;
  4. the skills to oversee human resource and financial management matters; and
  5. the ability to work effectively and proactively with other community providers, and local, state and federal entities.
Update: Added Note - 06/01/10
Added Note
Note: The elements of the standard will be considered together to assess the competence of the CEO and provide a rating.
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PURPOSE: Sound governance increases the organization’s viability and sustainability.
 
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