The board of directors plays a critical role in the creation, growth, and stability of every organization. But unlike for-profit corporate boards which respond strictly to financial incentives, the board of directors of a nonprofit organization must consider both finances and impact. This is the governance balancing act that boards and staff must manage.
There are insightful books, consulting practices, and training sessions for you and your board to access and improve your nonprofit governance. Your board may be ready to step up with fundraising, have a difficult transition to manage, or possibly even a fiscal crisis to address. These resources and more can help get you organized.
In our consulting practice, we have worked with many nonprofits who need to get the “basics” of board governance right first. This is especially true for relatively new boards or nonprofits with less than a few years of experience. One day they will be ready for that “deep dive” but today their needs are more foundational.
That is why we created this one-page guide: Five Things to Know About Your Nonprofit Board of Directors. In it we describe the board’s primary responsibility (governance), the role of the board chair (team leader), the form of the executive director and board chair partnership (canoers), house rules (by-laws), and meeting content (discuss, don’t tell). If your organization and board is just getting started, follow these Five Things To Know and you will be in a great place to grow your impact even further in just a few years’ time.
What things would you suggest for another Five Things To Know? What would you say about fundraising, or executive director management? Share your thoughts below!