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Nonprofit Q&A

A service of Jeane Vogel and Fund Raising Innovations

February 27, 2004

 

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Here is this week’s question:

I know every group is different, but are there some things that all board members should do? We seem to have a lot of tension in committee meetings when we ask board members to do certain tasks. The board seems to feel the staff should do more. We think the board should help out.

Board members and agency leadership should be very clear from the beginning about what is expected from each board member. Well, that’s the perfect world. We live and work in the nonprofit world. Sometimes we are so desperate for help with our agencies that we ask someone to be on the board and downplay the responsibilities.  

I think the biggest lie in nonprofit is “Oh, it’s no work at all. Just one meeting a month.” 

Yeah, I probably said it myself. Very few board members are recruited understanding exactly what is expected of them. The board leadership and the executive director might not even know. 

Every board is different and has needs unique to its mission, but every board has certain obligations. These are my top ten basic rules for every board member. 

Top Ten Board Member Obligations

  1. Create an organization that is worthy of the community’s trust and financial support.
     
  1. Give personal gifts that you, the board member, would consider generous. Solicit from your company. Solicit from your friends. Don’t ask someone else –someone not as dedicated or involved as you are – to do something you would not do yourself.
     
  1. Set the mission. Set the vision. Set the goals. Make sure the organization and the programs fit the mission exactly. If they do not, you are responsible for the changes.
     
  1. Supervise the Director. Only the director. Remember that the s/he is the CEO – you are not. The staff does not answer to you. Do not meddle in the daily affairs of the organization or thwart the authority of the school’s professional leader.
     
  1. Represent the agency’s constituency. Be their advocate.
     
  1. Represent the agency. Be its ambassador.
     
  1. Focus on the mission, not the bottom line. Your organization should be run in a business-like manner, but not like a business. Mission, not profit, is paramount.
     
  1. Think strategically. Act independently.
     
  1. Understand your motivation for being on the board. Some people want power, some social connections, some business connections, some people want something to do with their time, some truly want to serve. All are valid reasons, but understand yours and don’t let it get in the way of your commitment.
     
  1. Treat your board membership seriously. Don’t waste the time of your colleagues by excessive tardiness, missed assignments, procrastination or being argumentative. Remember that other people – your peers, the staff, the students, the community – are counting on you.

© 2001, Jeane M. Vogel, Fund Raising Innovations 

© 2004 by Jeane Vogel and Fund Raising Innovations

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Last modified: 09/20/07