The Savvy Director Blog

Joining a new board of directors is like getting on a bus – one that’s already full of people and is well on its way to its destination.

The tricky part is that the bus isn’t stationary. Even as you hop on, it’s already moving.

Whether it’s your first bus ride or you’re a veteran, you’ve got to catch your breath, find your place, and settle in for the journey.

In the same way, whether you’re a first time director or you’ve already served on a few boards, it’s normal to start a new board ro...

Whenever I spot the word “governance” in a headline, I notice it. So, a recent article in our local news feed caught my attention. It described issues on the board of a well-known public institution, then went on to say that the board chair had been contacted for comment.

The chair deferred comment to the organization’s director of communications. The director of communications in turn refused to comment, saying "The board is an independent governing body so any further comment would rest wit...

The Savvy Director blog usually focuses on the director role as it relates to the board as a whole. But in the past few weeks, I’ve found myself spending far more time on my role as a committee member. And that’s not unusual.

With committee work on my mind, it seems like a good time to write about board committees.

I like to include quotations in these blog posts, so I did a quick Google search on ‘Quotes about Committees’. It pains me to say it, but apparently few have ever had anything goo...

This is the last in a series of four Savvy Director articles dealing with various aspects of board and director evaluation. The first two articles in the series, “From Compliance to Improvement” and “From Evaluation to Action,” explored the board evaluation process, and the third, “Evaluating the Individual Director,” dealt with director self-assessments and peer evaluations.

When it comes to the board of directors, board meetings are where pretty much everything that matters gets done – idea...

Would you rather have a Nobel laureate who won’t engage, or a curious newcomer who asks the right questions?

This isn’t just hypothetical — it’s a real dilemma many boards face. As governance challenges grow more complex and stakeholder expectations rise, the composition of the boardroom has never mattered more. But when evaluating potential directors, one question often lingers: Is it more important to have the right skills — or the right mindset?

In this edition of The Savvy Director, we e...

If you’ve served on a board for a year or more, you’ve probably lived through an external audit. It’s one of those governance fundamentals that you need to have a handle on to fulfill your director responsibilities.

Failing to exercise proper oversight over external audit has caused a lot of grief for boards in the past. You can help make sure your board doesn’t become one of them.

In a nutshell, an external audit involves an independent auditor reviewing an organization's financial statem...

In the first Savvy Director post of 2025, we’ll take a look at some of the challenges and opportunities our boards may be facing as the year unfolds.

Of course, the impact of external pressures and governance trends varies considerably based on factors like your industry sector, type of organization, and geographic location. That means that some of the items we cover here will apply to your situation, and others won’t — at least not directly.

Still, it’s a good idea for all directors — rega...

Over the course of a year, a board of directors must review key information, approve important documents, hold vital discussions, and make critical decisions. How do they stay on track?

The annual board calendar is a valuable tool to ensure that all these events happen at the right time. It’s more than just a list of dates and times. It’s a document that needs to be well thought out and carefully considered.

Think of the board calendar as a planning tool to help the board govern effectively....

With increasing demands on governance professionals’ time, they’re always looking for  innovative solutions to help them support their boards more effectively. Could artificial intelligence (AI) be the answer?

“AI will have a significant impact on boardroom operations and governance. It’s an opportunity and a challenge that directors need to address proactively.” — Chris Ridd, BoardPro Chair

AI tools designed for board management can streamline processes, enhance accuracy, and provide i...

 

An effective corporate secretary or other governance professional is a great resource for any board of directors. They provide support and guidance to the board in carrying out its fiduciary duties, making sure that it operates within legal and ethical boundaries.

Among their many duties, they’re responsible for maintaining accurate records of board meetings, managing board communications, and ensuring compliance with governance policies and regulations. They help ensure the board has the i...