There's
no "one-size-fits-all" answer for what a board should look like, in terms of size or demographics. However, there are some fundamental responsibilities that are shared by all nonprofit boards.
Simone Joyaux, ACFRE is a nonprofit fund development and governance guru. In her teachings, she makes an important distinction between the board and board members. She says,
- "Board" and "board members" are not interchangeable terms.
- The "board" is a collective. The board is a group of people working together to govern the nonprofit and to ensure the effectiveness of the organization.
- The "board members" are the individuals who comprise the board.
With that in mind, does your board - and its individual board members - understand their
10 basic responsibilities?
- Determine the organization's mission and purpose.
Not only is this key during the formative stages of a nonprofit, it is also necessary that the board review and revisit the organization's mission and purpose from time to time. As circumstances and community needs change, your mission and purpose may need to change as well. - Select the chief executive.
The board has the responsibility to hire, manage (see #3) and, if necessary, fire the organization's top leadership position. In the case of succession planning, the current executive (and other stakeholders) may have input; however, it is the responsibility of the board to select the executive as well as determine his/her compensation. - Support and evaluate the chief executive.
The board - and, indeed all board members - should recognize and acknowledge the chief executive's accomplishments. The board should also provide candid and constructive feedback. Sometimes the Executive Committee or the board chair is charged with the executive's formal evaluation; however, the full board should provide input. - Ensure effective organizational planning.
Boards must actively participate in organization's overall planning and goal-setting process. "Planning" is a general term and may apply to the organization's operational (day-to-day) needs, annual (operational/fundraising) needs or short- and long-term (strategic) needs. The board also has oversight responsibility and should monitor, review and adjust plans as needed. - Monitor and strengthen programs and services.
The board has a responsibility to determine whether current (and proposed) programs and services are effective and align with the organization's stated mission. The board is responsible for revisiting programs and services or, alternatively, revising the mission and purpose. (see #1) - Ensure adequate financial resources.
Boards are responsible for making sure that the organization has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission. That means every board member has a responsibility to help with fundraising, which doesn't necessarily mean "asking." For instance, every board member should make a personal donation every year. Board members should also help identify new donors and help thank donors when they give. - Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight.
The board, as an entity, has a legal and fiduciary responsibility to the organization. The board is responsible for seeing that financial controls are in place and the organization manages its resources wisely. The board is ultimately responsible for the financial decisions and related actions of the organization. - Build a competent board.
Boards have a responsibility to determine proper board composition, recruit and orient new board members and provide on-going board training opportunities. Boards should have a board member job description as well as a board member commitment form so individual board members understand their responsibilities and the organization's expectations. Boards should also assess their own performance and effectiveness regularly. - Ensure legal and ethical integrity.
Your board - and your board members - are responsible for adhering to legal standards and ethical norms. Often referred to as the Three D's, all board members have a Duty of Care (acting as and reasonable person would with respect to planning and decision-making), a Duty of Loyalty (acting in the best interest of the organization, not personal self-interest) and a Duty of Obedience (not acting in a way that is inconsistent with the organization's goals). - Enhance the organization's public standing.
Your board - and your board members - should act as ambassadors and advocates of the organization. They should be knowledgeable about organization's programs and services. They should know and be able to tell organizational "success stories."
Source: Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards, Second Edition, book by Richard T. Ingram (BoardSource 2009).
How does your board score against this checklist?
Send me a message and tell me if your board is a perfect 10.
And if you have some areas where your board needs work, ask how Third Sector Consulting can help.
TIPS OF THE TRADE
Not sure if your board is operating at peak performance? Check out these resources from Simone Joyaux, ACFRE and Charity Lawyer.
5 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNANCE, by Simone Joyaux
INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER EXPECTATIONS, by Simone Joyaux
TOP 15 NONPROFIT BOARD GOVERNANCE MISTAKES (from a legal perspective), by Charity Lawyer
Third Sector Consulting helps nonprofits find more funders, win more grants and raise more money.
Send a message to start the conversation and learn how Laura can help you and your organization.
About The Author
Laura Rhodes is a Certified Fund Raising Executive, fundraising consultant, speaker, and trainer. She's helped nonprofit organizations raise millions of dollars from foundations and individual donors. When she's not writing grants, appeal letters or case statements, she enjoys teaching staff and board members how to raise more money for the causes they love.