When we work with nonprofits on their governance structure, we have found that the Executive Committee is often a point of contention. Term limits, board manuals, and the size of a board are the first heated discussions. But, a conversation about the pros… [Read more…]
For nonprofits who must beg someone to become board chair, it may feel impossible to imagine an orderly transition. But, if your organization has a leadership pipeline*, you cannot imagine how any board functions without one. If you are scrambling for your next… [Read more…]
Have you ever been a part of a nonprofit board that has been paralyzed and not able to make decisions? It can be incredibly frustrating as a volunteer and have serious repercussions for those who rely on these organizations. People, animals, and environments… [Read more…]
Here is a board member qualities exercise that I sometimes use when facilitating board retreats. I put 10-15 images on the table. I ask each person to look through them and: Choose at least 2 images that show board qualities that are currently… [Read more…]
In many nonprofits, there is not a clear divide between board and staff responsibilities. Then you add in long-term volunteers, founders, and advisory boards and things get even muddier. Who should have the final say on a decision? And, should you have that… [Read more…]
5 Nonprofit Finance Committee Responsibilities As you can imagine, in my work consulting to a wide variety of nonprofits worldwide, I have attended more than my share of board meetings. Recently, I observed the treasurer of a client organization make the monthly financial… [Read more…]
Let’s imagine that you are planning on increasing your board size. You know someone who has attended a few of your organization’s events and donated on a regular basis. How do you know if she will be a good board member? Will the… [Read more…]
Two organizations with which we have been working have very similar concerns. At each nonprofit, there is at least one board member who is disruptive to meetings. And both have leadership that want that to change. The Disruptive Board Member(s) Based on a… [Read more…]
Let me start by saying that before you focus on board member recruitment, you need a standing committee on governance and leadership development. If you don’t, read this or this first. OK, now we are on the same page and everyone understands the… [Read more…]
A close friend, Alex, told me an all-too-common, disheartening story about a nonprofit board she left a few years ago. She was a founding member of a small nonprofit’s board of directors. She was an active volunteer, and one of their major donors,… [Read more…]