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Board Membership: A Privilege & An Obligation

Board Membership: A Privilege & An Obligation. Presented to the NSFA National Conference April 25, 2013 Jessica White Associates. Learning Objectives. Key Roles of Board Members Legal Duties of Board Members Delicate Relationship of Board and Staff Engagement of Board

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Board Membership: A Privilege & An Obligation

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  1. Board Membership: A Privilege & An Obligation Presented to the NSFA National Conference April 25, 2013 Jessica White Associates

  2. Learning Objectives • Key Roles of Board Members • Legal Duties of Board Members • Delicate Relationship of Board and Staff • Engagement of Board • Techniques for Improving Effectiveness • Questions and Answers

  3. Background Questions • How would you describe the engagement of your board? • In which areas do board members need to become more active?

  4. Mini-Board Assessment

  5. Types of Board Members • Governing Board Members: Retain legal and fiduciary responsibility for the group • Advisory Board Members

  6. Ways to Recruit Board Members • Use of a Board Grid • Development of Connections Throughout the Community • Networks • Corporations • Service Organizations • Chambers of Commerce • Leadership Programs

  7. Board Service • Board service is both a privilege and an obligation. • “How do I carry out my obligation to the nonprofit?”

  8. Key Duties of Board Members • Determine the organization’s mission and purpose. • Select the chief executive. • Support the chief executive and assess performance. • Ensure effective organizational planning. • Ensure adequate resources.

  9. Key Duties of Board Members • Manage resources effectively. • Determine, monitor, and strengthen the organization’s programs and services. • Enhance the organization’s public standing. • Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability. • Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance.

  10. First Duty Duty of Care: A standard to undertake duties (i) in good faith; (ii) with the care of an ordinarily prudent person in a like position and similar circumstances; and (iii) in a manner to be in the best interests of the organization. • Board members must be prepared and deliberate in their decisions for the organization.

  11. Second Duty Duty of Loyalty: A standard of faithfulness to the organization. • Board members must give undivided allegiance to the organization when making decisions affecting the organization.

  12. Third Duty Duty of Obedience: Board members have a duty to ensure that the organization remains obedient to its central purposes. • Organization’s purposes are outlined in the articles of incorporation and other governing documents.

  13. Board Orientation A process to educate board members about the organization, its work, clients, and operations.

  14. Key Factors in Successful Dance • Leadership • Process Skills • Reciprocal Roles • Respect • Accountability

  15. Engagement of Board Members • Attend board and committee meetings on a regular basis • Ask relevant questions about work of the nonprofit • Give annual financial gift and obtain funds • Serve as a “walking billboard” for the nonprofit

  16. “Should They Stay or Should They Go?” Premise: Board Members were recruited because you need their talents and connections. % of Board Truly Engaged: ____ % of Board Partially Engaged: ____ % of Board Not Engaged: ____

  17. Techniques for Dealing with Non-Performing Board Members • List of Board Expectations • Attendance Guidelines • Responsibility of Board Chair • Responsibility of Executive Director • Documentation and Thank You

  18. Executive Director – Working with the Board • Fosters honest communication with the board • Speaks with Board Chair about what’s working/what’s not working • Designs agenda with Board Chair and obtains input from board members

  19. Executive Directors – Working with the Board • Serves as expert in the field and shares challenges and issues of work • Communicates assistance needed from the board • Respects the contributions of board • Does not babysit the board

  20. Types of Communication Forms of Communication • Written • Oral • Nonverbal Types of Decisions • Complex • Controversial

  21. Techniques to Improve Partnership • New Agenda: Strategic Initiatives, Resource Development, and Operational Reports • Focused discussions at Board meetings • Individual meetings with board members

  22. New Minutes Format

  23. Techniques to Improve Partnership • Financial education about nonprofit • Use of cash flow statements and monthly core operating expenses • Board preparation and presentation of committee reports • Annual board commitment to organization

  24. Techniques to Improve Partnership • Summary of key board and staff commitments at end of board meetings • Active use of Board Recruitment and Retention Committee • Annual evaluation of board contributions

  25. Key Question • “What am I doing between board meetings for the nonprofit organization?”

  26. Summary • Board and staff are critical partners in the nonprofit • Board Chair and Executive Directors have key roles in engagement of the board • Open and honest communications are requirements

  27. Homework 1) 2) 3)

  28. Resources • www.boardsource.org • www.independentsector.org • www.nonprofit.pro • http://philanthropy.com/blogs/against-the-grain/are-boards-ready-for-next-generation-donor • Nonprofit Boards That Work, Maureen K. Robinson

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