Webinar Series: A Deep Dive into the Organizational Standards
September – November 2020
Equipping Staff through Robust Orientation & Training
Digging Deeper into Organizational Standards 7.8 and 7.9 – Watch
Organizational Standards 7.8 and 7.9 address the need for timely employee orientation and ongoing training/development. While the minimum requirement is to conduct the orientation within 60 days of hire and ensure ongoing training opportunities are available, a training plan that ties these activities together and connects to the performance evaluation can better equip staff to excel in their positions and improve employee retention. Listen to this webinar from November 12, 2020 to learn about meeting this standard, as well as components of orientation and training to consider as the CAA moves from meeting to exceeding the standards.
From Risk Assessment to Comprehensive Risk Management
Digging Deeper into Organizational Standard 4.6 – Watch
Organizational Standard 4.6 requires an organization-wide, comprehensive risk assessment to be done every two years and reported to the governing board. While the minimum requirement is the assessment and reporting to the board, it requires action and follow-up by the agency to benefit from the assessment. Watch this webinar to learn about meeting this standard, as well as risk management tools, resources, and promising practices to move beyond compliance.
Effective Governance despite Challenging Times
Digging Deeper into Organizational Standards 5.5, 5.7, & 5.8
September 24, 2020 – 2 pm ET – Watch
Organizational Standard 5.5 requires the governing board or advisory body to meet in accordance with the frequency and quorum requirements, as well as fill board vacancies as set in the bylaws. This standard in particular can often present more of a challenge during times of crisis or inability to meet in-person, such as the COVID-19 Pandemic. Board training and orientation (standards 5.7 and 5.8) can present similar challenges. Many Community Action Agencies (CAAs) have adapted to continue to meet these standards and develop creative strategies to effectively govern during challenging times. Watch this webinar with CAPLAW to learn more about covering board meetings during COVID-19, including virtual meetings and compliance with open meeting laws – including specific CAA examples.
The Board’s Role in Setting the Mission & Direction of the CAA
Digging Deeper into Organizational Standard 4.1
October 8, 2020 – 2 pm ET – Watch
Organizational Standard 4.1 states that the Board reviews the organization’s mission statement within the last 5 years and ensures that it addresses poverty and the programs and services of the agency align with it. While the minimum requirement is the review, the Board has a fundamental duty to set the mission and direction of the organization. Join this webinar to learn about meeting this standard, as well as leveraging Strategic Planning (Category 6) and promising practices to move beyond compliance.
Evaluating Strategic Plan Progress with Agency-Wide Scorecards
Digging Deeper into Organizational Standards 6.5 & 9.3
October 29, 2020 – 2 pm ET – Watch
Organizational Standards 6.5 and 9.3 focus on reporting progress toward strategic plan goals (6.5), as well as an analysis of outcomes and associated adjustments to the board on at least an annual basis. While the minimum requirement is to report this information once a year, there are ways to involve the Board and communicate the information clearly so they can better fulfill their role of governance and oversight. Join this webinar to learn about meeting this standard, as well as utilizing a scorecard or dashboard to organize and communicate data, as well as other promising practices to move beyond compliance.
Project Team
Aaron Wicks, Vice President of Organization Capacity Building
Maribeth Schneber-Rhemrev, Director of Organizational Capacity Building
Tayla Daniel, Program Associate of Training & Technical Assistance
This resource was created by the National Association of Community Action Agencies – Community Action Partnership, in the performance of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services Grant Number, 90ET0469. Any opinion, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.