Organizational Self-Assessment
SAMHSA BRSS TACS
Instructions
Please indicate if you are:
Staff_X
Board Member___
Please rate each item by selecting the rating (1 – 5) that best describes your best understanding of the organization’s current status. Use “N/A” (not applicable) for items that are not relevant to your organization and “N/K” (not known) if you do not know the status of the organization related to an item. Each item is presented as a standard so your responses will indicate whether the organization meets the standard or not and to what extent.
1. The organization does not meet the standard
2. The organization partially meets the standard, but less than 50%
3. The organization partially meets the standard, but by more than 50%
4. The organization meets the standard
5. The organization exceeds the standard
“N/A” (not applicable)
“N/K” (not known)
Organizational Self-Assessment
1. Mission and VisionPractice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization has a clear, concise mission statement that communicates its reason for existence / 4
2. The organization has a compelling vision statement that communicates what the organization aspires to accomplish / 2 / I do not think WWC has a vision statement
3. The organization regularly tracks and reports its accomplishments in relation to its mission and vision / 2
4. The board, ED, and staff are able to clearly articulate the mission and vision of the organization / 3 / We are doing work with a consultant on this now
Additional Comments
2. Needs Assessment, Strategic Planning & Evaluation
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization conducts an annual (or periodic) needs assessment as part of planning and operations / 4 / RBA is one of our basic needs assesments
2. The organization has a strategic plan that is directly tied to its mission and vision / 5
3. The organization conducts formal strategic planning, involving both board and staff / 5
4. The strategic plan is revisited at least annually and is adapted to meet changing circumstances / 2 / This needs to be done more often.
5. Strategic goals and objectives are measurable with well-defined time frames for meeting them / 4
6. The organization has annual action plans that are linked to the strategic plan / 4
7. Strategic goals and objectives are understood by board members and staff / 4
8. Evaluation is an ongoing process that is incorporated into every program, activity, and operation / 5
9. The organization uses evaluation results in program, financial, and organizational planning / 5
Additional Comments
3. Programming
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization coordinates the delivery of quality support, education, and training programs for individuals that are consistent with the organization’s mission and values / 3 / This is an area we are seeking more assistance toward.
2. The organization ensures all programs and services are aligned with the mission of the organization / 3
3. The organization maintains well-structured programs with clear performance measures and expectations of staff / 3 / Also tied to area we are seeking assistance in
4. Programmatic data gathering is built into programs and the information gathered (program processes, results, satisfaction, and impact) is used to expand and improve programs and services / 3 / True of many of the organizations of the WWC
5. The organization provides activities to assist people in peer-to-peer programs, leadership development opportunities, and related activities / 4
6. The organization provides a newsletter for members and other stakeholders on a regularly basis / 1
7. The organization holds a regularly scheduled conference for its membership and other stakeholder. / 4
Additional Comments
4. Membership Development
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization maintains strategies to deepen the level of involvement of it’s members and with appropriate non-member constituents through increased participation, richer experiences, and greater opportunity to take an active role in the organization / 4
2. The organization understands the factors that influence the participation of different audiences – their perceptions and experiences, the benefits and barriers they encounter – and uses this knowledge to inform outreach and program planning / 5
3. The organization develops strategies to attract more members and other stakeholders to the organization / 3
4. The organization develops strategies to reach new audiences, including multicultural audiences / 3
5. The organization regularly solicits input from members about their experiences of and perceived barriers to participating in the organization’s activities through formal evaluation tools, such as surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and related approaches / 5
Additional Comments
5. Marketing & Public Relations
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization maintains an “elevator speech” known by all board members and staff to clearly and briefly describe the organization’s mission and vision / 4 / We continue to do work on this with a messaging consultant
2. The organization maintains a public relations strategy that communicates its message compellingly and attracts support from the community (the mental health community and beyond) / 5
3. The organization regularly engages in public awareness on mental health issues and the needs of consumers/survivors and regularly works to address discrimination and to promote social inclusion / 5
Additional Comments
6. Financial Planning, Monitoring, and Reporting
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization prepares timely and clear financial statements including; a balance sheet, a statement of income and expenses and a year-to-date budget comparison and provides these to the board at least quarterly / 4
2. The organization contracts annually for an independent audit, and board approves final audit report / 4
3. The organization maintains written policies and procedures for financial management / 4
44. The organization ensures that funds are used as required by the SAMHSA grant and other grants and contracts? / 4
5. The organization develops a budget, based on the strategic plan, which is approved by the board / 4
6. All cash accounts are reconciled monthly / 4
7. The organization maintains a policy identifying authorized check-signers and the number of signatures required on checks in excess of specified dollar amounts / 5
8. All required forms (1099s, 990s, W-2, wage reports, etc.) are filed on time with the appropriate government agencies / 4
9. The organization maintains suitable insurance coverage, which is periodically reviewed to ensure appropriate levels and types of coverage / 4
10. The organization maintains an appropriately diversified funding base and sufficient funding/financing to support its programs and the organization / 4
11. The organization maintains financial reserves that cover at least 3 months of operation / 4
Additional Comments
7. Governance/Board Management
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization abides by its bylaws and governing documents / 4
2. The organization makes information about its operations, governance, finances, programs, and activities widely available to the general public / 4
3. The board reviews and approves its operations and strategic plan / 4
4. The board is diverse and large enough to fulfill its duties / 4
5. The board composition is reflective of the demographics of the state / 4
6. The board is independent and serves without compensation / 4
7. The board actively works to advocate for the organization / 4
8. Roles of the board and ED are defined and respected, with the ED delegated as the manager of the organization’s operations and the board focused on policy, planning, and fiduciary oversight / 4
9. New board members are given a thorough orientation to the organization, the board, and their responsibilities / 4
10. Board members have diverse skill sets and expertise needed by the organization / 4
11. Board members attend and/or participate in the organization’s programs and events / 4
12. The board works with ED to set annual goals for the ED that are strategic, and the board assists the ED in achieving them / 4
13. The board works outside of board meetings to advance the organization in its achievement of strategic objectives / 4
14. The board assesses itself annually / 4
15. The board meets regularly, with a majority of directors in attendance, to address matters of policy, strategic direction, organizational performance and community impact / 4
16. The board understands its legal obligations; a conflict of interest policy is reviewed periodically and signed annually by board members / 4
17. The board is actively engaged in its oversight role and knowledgeable of the organization's key external and internal issues that affect its success. / 4
18. The board focuses on policy development and on the strategic direction and evaluation of the organization, respecting the staff's responsibility for implementing policy directives / 4
19. The board has established clear leadership roles (officers and committee chairs) to drive its activities effectively; it fosters the development of new leaders to fill future roles as needed / 4
20. Board members readily identify opportunities to raise the organization's profile in the community / 4
21. Organizational performance is reviewed annually by the board in conjunction with an evaluation of the ED/CEO / 4
Additional Comments
8. Management
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The ED ensures that there are clear and measurable goals and objectives for all staff / 4
2. The ED or designated senior staff ensures ongoing support and training of staff / 4
3. Employees have an appropriate level of managerial skills (vis-à-vis their job responsibilities) and receive ongoing training / 4
4. The organization’s management conducts business in a transparent and inclusive manner / 4
5. The organization’s management works well as a team / 4
6. The organization’s management serves as a good role model for staff / 4
7. The organization’s management provides the board with regular progress reports relative to the implementation of the strategic plan / 4
Additional Comments
9. Human Resources
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization maintains written personnel policies that are regularly reviewed and updated that addresses the process for hiring and terminating employees, conducting evaluations, promotions, disciplinary action and related issues / 4
2. Employees and volunteers (including interns) receive appropriate orientation and training / 4
3. Employees are educated and periodically updated on policy and procedures including benefits and resources available to them. / 4
4. Well-defined policies are followed for employee and volunteer recruitment, application, and interview processes, and retention / 4
5. Recruitment process respects and encourages applicants who represent the diversity of the community / 4
6. Employees and volunteers have job descriptions that accurately reflect their duties and expectations / 4 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
7. Employee performance reviews are conducted and documented at least annually / 4 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
8. Pay raises and opportunities for advancement are linked to accomplishment of strategic objectives / 4 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
9. The organization is committed to providing leadership opportunities to staff and volunteers / 4 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
10 A system is in place for ongoing training and professional development of staff and volunteers. / 3 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
11. The organization is adequately staffed to meet its goals and to further its mission / 2 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
12. Staff is adequately trained to meet the organization’s goals and to further its mission. / 4 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
13. Staff is sufficiently experienced (both personal and professional experience) to meet the organization’s goals and to further its mission. / 4 / This is work we’re doing in action plan
Additional Comments
10. Partnerships and Alliances
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization is involved in strategic alliances that enhance the quality of life of people with mental health conditions and other disenfranchised groups, as appropriate, by enhancing the effectiveness of interagency collaboration / 5
2. The organization grows and expands its presence and visibility in the state through its partnerships and alliances / 5
3. Board members and staff actively participate in community coalitions, local civic organizations, and other organizations outside of the mental health community as advocates for the organization / 5
Additional Comments
11. Diversity, Inclusion, & Non-Discrimination
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization has a broad understanding of diversity and a commitment to be actively inclusive at all levels: board, staff, and members / 5
2. The board is representative of the community and alert to changing community needs and realities / 5
3. The organization ensures inclusion of diverse viewpoints and representation which adds value to the organization's mission and work and furthers its success / 5
4. The organization engages staff and board in development, endorsement, and implementation of the mission statement, guiding principles, and action plans / 5
5. The staff, board, and programs operated by the organization represent and respond to the diversity of the community / 4
6. The organization promotes social inclusion and cultural competence in the general community and public / 4
7. The organization’s leadership is composed of people with lived experience of mental health recovery / 5
Additional Comments
12. Facilities Management
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization’s facilities are clean, safe, accessible to people with disabilities, and appropriately maintained and inviting / 3
2. Facilities meet the needs of the organization’s activities / 3
Additional Comments
13. Information Technology Systems
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization collects and reports data on the domains required under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) / NA
2. The organization maintains detailed database to track membership, individual contributions, and friends / 2
3. Website and electronic mailing lists are accurate and updated regularly / 2
4. Website and electronic mailing lists are effectively used in outreach, for information sharing, and as marketing tools / 2
5. Data is used to inform decision making and is linked to strategic plan / 3
6. Website includes valuable information for consumers and stakeholders, including mission statement, policy issues, membership information, donor information, directions/hours of operation, newsletters/publications, events calendar, systems navigation, volunteer opportunities, and links to related websites / 3 / Needs to be updated more regularly
Additional Comments
14. Fundraising
Practice / Rating / Comments
1. The organization maintains a diverse mix of contributed income (public grants, foundation grants, corporate contributions, individual donations) / 5
2. The organization sets challenging, yet achievable, annual fundraising goals and reviews them at the end of each fiscal year / 5
3. A system is in place for tracking past, current, and potential donors / 4
4. A donor recognition and contact system is in place / 5
5. An annual fundraising plan is developed and approved by the board / 5
6. The board is active in securing funding and other resources for the organization, including resources outside of the mental health community, through identifying prospects, supporting donor cultivation, solicitation and related activity / 5
7. All board members are involved in fundraising / 3
Additional Comments
15. Bylaws
Practice / Please check items that are included in bylaws. / Comments
1. Identify mission / 5
2. Include statement regarding meeting state laws / 5
3. Include statement of non-discrimination / 5
4. Establish fiscal year / 5
5. Specify requirements for regular, special and annual meetings of the membership / 5
6. Define quorum / 5
7. Define board:
General Powers / 2
Limitations of Power / 5
Duties / 3
Size / 4
Nomination Process / 3
Qualifications of Members / 3
Terms and term limits / 2 / We are currently reviewing this
Vacancies / 4
Removal / 4
Conflict of Interest / 5
8. Board meetings:
Quorum / 5
Regular, Special, and Annual / 5
Consent to Corporate Action / 5
Required Notice / 5
9. Board officers
Description / 5
Selection Process / 4
Terms / 2
10. Define board committees / 3
11. Recognize role of ED or CEO / 5
12. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees, agents / 5
13. Dispute resolution process / 5
14. Process for adoption/ratification/amendments to bylaws / 5
Please briefly describe the overall culture or “feel” of the organization: We are a peer support organization. 90% have lived experience with a mental health diagnosis or substance abuse. We all work in a peer run organization.