Successful Boards…
1. speak for the client/membership
2. survey client/member needs
3. govern, not manage
4. work within the focus of the mission
5. focus on the future, setting the course through long range strategic planning
6. understand that nonprofit governance requires good business skills
7. establish guiding principles and policies
8. monitor compliance with guiding principles and policies
9. participate in fundraising activities
10. understand that all authority resides with them until some is delegated to others
11. delegate authority
12. have one employee – the CEO, CEO has staff employees
13. cultivate a high level of trust and confidence in the CEO
14. have few standing committees
15. use task forces for well-defined projects with specific deadlines
16. make board development a priority
17. provide new board member orientation training, including “how to interpret nonprofit financial reports”
18. recruit new members for demonstrated commitment to the values and mission of the organization on an ongoing basis
19. speak with one voice
20. meetings demonstrate that the boards’ primary relationship is with members, not with staff
21. meetings may look like learning and study sessions with 2 – 3 agenda items that are discussed in full detail
22. respect the agenda
23. meetings are more about the long term future that the present
24. focus on what they do best
25. members recuse themselves from voting for conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest
26. have and strategize for a diverse membership
27. use resources in decision making such as budget, by-laws, articles, etc .
28. guard their mission. Quote your mission here and discuss this list at your next board meeting or retreat.
Assembled from: US Chamber IOM Policy Board Model by John Carver, “Great Boards for Small Groups”, “Why Boards Fail”, and Elizabeth Fitzgerald’s experience as Owner of Kronstadt Consulting’s 2-19-19
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