Delegation schedules boards actually use
Constitutions describe powers. Delegation schedules describe who picks up the phone when a grant acquittal is due on Friday.
The failure mode
Boards adopt comprehensive delegations at incorporation, file them, and revert to informal “the president usually handles it” within a year. When the president burns out or departs, nobody knows which bank signatory list is current.
What works on a single page
List five to eight decision types your board actually faces: expenditure thresholds, staff appointments, media statements, grant submissions, and venue hire are common ones. For each, name the role authorised, the dollar or scope limit, and whether the decision must be minuted at the next meeting.
Keep it visible
Pin the schedule inside the board pack cover, not appendix G. Reference it at the start of each meeting when approvals are on the agenda. If a decision falls outside the schedule, note it explicitly and schedule a constitutional review if the gap repeats.
Review annually, not reactively
Tie delegation review to your AGM cycle or the first meeting after financial sign-off. Fifteen minutes is enough if the document stays short.
Volunteer directors thank you when they can answer “can I sign this?” without a group chat spiral.