The Director's and Officer's Guide to Advisory Boards

Written primarily for corporate directors and officers, this book deals with a relatively new phenomenon in corporate governance: the advisory board. Mueller provides an informed, thorough discussion of advisory boards and their functions, explains the fundamental differences between advisory boards and statutory boards of directors, and offers guidelines for making the most effective use of these adjunct advisory bodies in managing corporations.

Mueller begins by introducing the new advice age and reviews the essential characteristics of contract advice. A second chapter explores the context in which business and other institutions must now function and the pressures which have sparked interest in the use of advisory boards. Mueller then compares advisory boards to traditional statutory boards, consultants, and mentors and surveys how advisory boards of different kinds work to carry out their special roles or functions. He provides practical guidelines for the contracting advisee organization, including information on insurance, indemnification, and contractual matters. Finally, six chapters offer clinical experience from the advisor perspective. An appendix offers advice for those seeking an invitation to serve on an advisory board.