How is your relationship with your incoming and current Chamber Board Chair? How do you communicate what is expected? Is the relationship superficial or built on trust? How will the two of you work through the tough issues that inevitably come up every year in a Chamber?

Nothing makes for a more challenging year for a Chamber CEO than a less than ideal relationship with the Board Chair. Setting the tone for a good year takes work, clear expectations, and communication on both ends.

Recently retired Willmar Chamber President, Ken Warner and Grand Forks East Grand Ford Chamber CEO, Barry Wilfahrt and their respective 2023 Board Chairs sat down with Lisa Workman, President, Fergus Falls Chamber to answer these questions and more.

Watch the video below to hear two seasoned Chamber CEO’s and their volunteers discuss how they prepared for and managed this sometimes, tricky relationship.

Over the years Ken and Barry have mentored countless Chamber CEOs and Ken delivered his popular “Boot Camp for New Executives” at MACE for many years prior to retirement.

Board and Committee Meeting Articles by Bob Harris – April, 2021

After the Retreat – Roles

Governance Changes in a Pandemic

Invite Elmo to your Meetings

The Pressure to Adjourn

Link the Strategic Plan to the Budget

Better Meetings Board and Committees

Board Orientation Workbook Jan 2021

Committee Linkage to the Strategic Plan – Bob Harris

Committee Linkage to the Strategic Plan

Bob Harris, CAE

Click here to read full article.

This article links the committee assignments to the strategic plan.

Bob Harris: Virtual Planning and On-Line Board Orientation

Boards are restless to prepare for 2021. Emphasis should be on rebound and recovery for chamber and business.

Board orientation (on-line) and strategic planning (virtual) should be underway. Both articles include links to free resources: 1) Board Orientation Workbook (20 pgs.) and 2) Strategic Planning Guide (2 pgs.)

On-Line Orientation 10-20

Virtual Strategic Planning 10-16-20

Prelude to a Board Meeting, Bob Harris

Prelude to a Board Meeting 9-20

Ideas to improve the meeting preparation by directors.

Bob Harris, CAE

Who Invited Micromanagement? Bob Harris, CAE

Who Invited Micromanagement 9-20
Bob Harris, CAE