Polices & Procedures
Policies
Policies are an essential tool in guiding an organization. They interpret the governing documents and provide additional clarity and specificity on how they are to be followed, as well as important expressions of granted or limitation of delegated authority.
As clear statements of Board intent, policies memorialize governance standards and can also serve as a safeguard by demonstrating a Board's duty of care and due diligence.
Though also a component of governing documents, policies can and should be easier to adopt or amend, based on the interpretations of the Board. Evolving circumstances, understanding, or sophistication of an organization should inform prompt policy updates.
Procedures
Procedures are administrative or managerial, and should reflect the steps necessary to implement policies or accomplish routine functions for the organization. As such, procedures should be of minimal interest to the Board and are primarily the purview of staff.
Creating a Policy Manual
The crafting of a Policy Manual is important step in the governance maturity process for an organization.
A good place to start is with the formation and adoption of the seven policies that the Internal Revenue Service asks about on the organization's annual Form 990 information return.
The Policy Management Tool Kit, created by Bob Harris, CAE, is a tremendous resource in getting started.
Sample Policies
NAIFA will be producing several sample policies for consideration and use by its Chapters, and will list them here.
Apparent Authority Policy
Document Destruction Policy
Model Policy-Board Travel (Expense Voucher)
Model Policy-Compliance with Antitrust Laws
Model Policy-Conflict of Interest
Model Policy-Social Media Conduct
Model Policy-Whistleblower
NAIFA Disclaimer and Compliance Alert
NAIFA Model Speaker Policy
NAIFA Policy on Chapter Use of NAIFA Member Lists
NAIFA Policy on Recruiting and Association Activities
Statement of Compliance with Antitrust Laws
Statement of Policy – Separation of Duties
Quick Links
Apparent Authority Policy
Document Destruction Policy
Model Policy-Board Travel (Expense Voucher)
Model Policy-Compliance with Antitrust Laws
Model Policy-Conflict of Interest
Model Policy-Social Media Conduct
Model Policy-Whistleblower
NAIFA Disclaimer and Compliance Alert
NAIFA Model Speaker Policy
NAIFA Policy on Chapter Use of NAIFA Member Lists
NAIFA Policy on Recruiting and Association Activities
Policy Management Tool Kit
Statement of Compliance with Antitrust Laws
Statement of Policy – Separation of Duties
