BOARD OF DIRECTORS TRAINING PROCESS AND COST CALCULATION
Theatre Network of Texas, Inc. (TNT) offers member organizations up to 25 hours – depending on your membership level – of complimentary consulting fees to be used for board training / board retreat with their annual membership. The process below is used to plan and calculate costs.
PLANNING
Board training should be planned on a date when a majority of the board of directors are able to meet for 5 – 6 hours. Ideal participation is 100% of the board but TNT understands the complexities of a volunteer board. TNT will assign a Facilitator to conduct the board training and should be confirmed no later than one month prior to the training. Standard Blackout dates include – QUADFest, TEXFest, State Conference, Youth Conference, Fort Worth Fringe and the final two weeks of the calendar year.
PREPARATION
TNT will need the following from the member organization – at least a week prior to the training
- A copy of the organizations Bylaws
- A copy of the organizations Mission Statement
- A copy of the organizations Profit and Loss statement for the last fiscal year
TNT requires a meeting with select staff and / or the board members separately – usually the day before the training / retreat. These meetings allow for frank discussion of issues without existing bias.
TNT will provide a questionnaire that all board members must fill out prior to the board retreat – usually the week before.The questionnaire is discussed with the staff and / or board president prior to the training to confirm the agenda. A follow-up questionnaire is sent the week after the board training.
PAYMENT
TNT will invoice the organization after the board training with a notice to pay within 30 days.
Professional Services – TNT does bill at a rate of $75 per hour – this includes prep work and meeting time. Professional Service hours are complimentary according to TNT membership level.
The member organization is responsible for the following expenses:
Mileage – charged at the standard government rate on the day the travel takes place. Google Maps is used to calculate mileage from the TNT Offices – 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth, TX 76107 – to first local stop (usually hotel) and return. Multiple stop mileage is not recorded unless the second and proceeding stops are more than 20 miles from first local stop. Standard Government rate in 2024 is 67¢. TNT does not charge inter city mileage.
Lodging – TNT does have an agreement with Hilton Hotel properties for discounted rates and would pay the hotel directly for the stay. TNT will always look for the least expensive hotel rate. Home stays are avoided in an effort to keep the facilitator as unbiased and as undisturbed as possible. A standard retreat / training is a two night hotel stay if the location is over 100 miles from the TNT offices.
Meals – TNT will invoice for meals incurred while traveling to, from and while at the location. This is usually minimal, if at all. It is recommended meals be provided by the hosting theatre during the training.
All questions about Board Training / Retreat should be referred to the TNT Executive Director.