8 Indicators Of A Good Nonprofit Board

8 Indicators Of A Good Nonprofit Board

8 Indicators Of A Good Nonprofit Board

While we are going through these difficult times, we need to do a critical self-analysis of our human resources. The days of easy foundation money is gone, at least for a while. We must rely more and more on the generosity of individuals. "Are you kidding-with so many people out of work and investment portfolios in the dumps?"

I didn't say it's going to be easy, but it can be done. I know. I see success every day. New donors! Larger gifts! The good news is that so many nonprofits have been doing such a lousy job of fund-raising that any improvement will result in new funds.

The first step is to develop a first-class Board. We must turn many more people on to our Mission and the impact we make on people's lives. The days of small, operationally focused boards, is behind us. The more people we have out there doing smart fundraising on our behalf, the better.

So how do you know if you have a good board?

These are eight indicators of whether you have a good Board. How do you rate?

Our Board does not micromanage. Our Board meetings are filled with pursuing strategic initiatives rather than focusing on operational issues. Our board is future-oriented. We let the committees focus on the present.

Our Board understands the role of board and staff. We believe that it is our job is to provide operational guidance by conducting an annual review of our Executive Director based on the accomplishment of strategic objectives. (Please don't laugh at this! A few directors do get annual reviews.)

We choose our Board members carefully. We have conducted a Board Assessment to determine the skill sets and diversity we need. We seek out new Board members based on the existing gaps rather than just asking our friends.

We are always training our Board. We have a good orientation program for new Board members. We always have some leadership training at every Board meeting. We understand that people have to learn how to function in a democratic, consensus-based, culture.

We clearly understand our roles and responsibilities: We have a good board manual and by-laws which are reviewed annually. Everyone has a clear idea what they are doing.

Our Board meetings are interesting and inspiring. When our Board meetings are over, Board members hang around to chat, and plan future meeting. There is a feeling of good will and energy. We have had fun!

The work of our board is done through committees and task forces. These committees and task forces are addressing the operational and strategic issues facing the agency. Their reports are presented to the Board through a Consent Agenda. We don't spend a lot of time listening to reports.

We have a clear sense of the agency's financial needs and a plan to meet those needs: We get 100% participation rate on board contributions and everyone is involved in some way in helping to raise funds. We have an active Fund Development Committee who is using a segmented marketing approach to different donor bases.

How do you grade your board? Does this list give you some guidance as to what areas need to be strengthened? What other benchmarks should be added to this list?

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