The challenges facing governing boards today have never been greater. Financial constraints, as well as legal questions, increases in teacher militancy, collective bargaining, affirmative action, and other thorny issues, make the job of the trustee increasingly complex. The 16 articles in this sourcebook examine the role of the community college trustee and present recommendations for improving trustee effectiveness. The authors recommend that trustees become more aware of the legal problems inherent in their jobs; that they become skilled in working with state and federal legislators in achieving institutional goals and in curtailing the ever-increasing state domination of community college decision-making; that they engage in continuing self-evaluation; that they work with the president as a management partner, rather than as an adversary; and that they eschew written policies and allow the president maximum flexibility. Also presented are: (1) predictions of the future course of undergraduate education, (2) a cost/benefit analysis of appointing trustees versus electing them, (3) a self-evaluation instrument for trustee use, (4) guidelines for achieving financial stability, (5) suggestions for improving the effectiveness of board meetings and of female board members, and (6) a review of additional pertinent literature and a bibliography. (Author/DC)