Standard 3: Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings - An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
GFW does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held two meetings during the past fiscal year.
In response to this finding, the charity responded that:
"Due to the fact that the GFW's members are located throughout the world and reside in a wide variety of time zones, the Board decided to meet in person only twice per year. However, the GFW's governance structure relies heavily on a highly functioning Board committee structure which includes the Executive Committee, a Governance/Nominating Committee, a Philanthropy (Fundraising Committee), a Program Committee, a Finance and Administration Committee, an Investment Committee, and an Audit Committee. There are approximately 20 committee meetings throughout the year including between six and eight Executive Committee meetings. As a result of this committee structure, the Board stays highly informed and engaged in the work of GFW."
Standard 6: Board Policy on Effectiveness - Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
GFW does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
In response to this finding, the charity responded that:
"GFW's Board of Directors greatly values evaluation and assessment as a mechanism to improve the effectiveness of the organization. Most notably, the Global Fund just recently completed a year-long organizational assessment process which included substantive Board leadership. It is also the practice of the Board of Directors to review the organization's annual plans each year at the time that it approves the annual budget. These annual plans are tied directly to the Board approved five-year Strategic Plan. The staff reports back to the Board of Directors both throughout the fiscal year as well as the end of the fiscal year on accomplishments and the challenges faced in meeting the goals of the annual plans. Additionally, as part of the Strategic Plan, the Board approved a multi-pronged and systematic evaluation framework for measuring the impact of GFW's grants program. Finally, GFW has just begun a review process of the strategic plan itself. This assessment process will include substantive participation and leadership of the Board of Directors."