Association boards of directors have a team construct, and each director holds perceptions of what that looks like for a given board. A research study is underway to explore this, the result of which will be a dissertation, "Leadership by the team: Perceptions within nonprofit membership organizations' boards of directors."
I am undertaking this project as part of my doctoral program at Marian University, in addition to being the Executive Vice President of Valley Home Builders Association in Appleton. I'm looking to my fellow WSAE members to help me gather the necessary data, and in turn, gain insights into your boards.
This study requires 10 - 15 associations, each willing to complete online surveys, one by the chief staff officer and the other by at least 80% of the directors (surveys require about 15 minutes to complete), as well as telephone interviews with me by the chief staff officers and 25% of the directors (interviews about 30 minutes to complete).
Participating associations receive a written report providing an outline of how the board shares elements of a full range model of leadership with accompanying explanations and suggestions for potential leadership development opportunities. This report can be sent or presented in a facilitated session with me, at no cost, depending on the interest and scheduling needs of the participant association. (Note: this group report includes only responses from directors; responses from chief staff officers are used only for research purposes and will not be shared with directors, and the identities of participating organizations will not be associated with their data in the published dissertation.)
I believe the group report this study will create for each participating association, in addition to generating data needed for my dissertation, will prove helpful to the organization completing the study -- I'm hopeful that may provide incentive for you and your directors to consider participating.
If you'd be willing to learn more and potentially participate, please contact me at your convenience at chshaefer42@marianuniversity.edu or 920-740-3449. Thank you for considering this request.
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Christine Shaefer. IOM, CAE
Executive Vice President
Valley Home Builders Association
Appleton WI
(920) 731-7931
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