Do we really need corporate governance in nonprofits? I hear this question often when talking with potential clients. What they really mean is, “We are not a corporation, so we don’t need corporate governance… do we?” The question really surfaces a few misunderstandings, all of which hinge on the fact that nonprofit board governance and […]
Why Nonprofit Corporate Governance is Important Read More »
How effective is your board of directors? How effective is your executive director? How effective is their working relationship? Do those sound like questions that you have asked lately? You are not alone. So, how would you approach such questions? Many board chairpersons and executive directors would love an answer. They understand better than anyone
Get Aligned with Our Governance Assessment Read More »
Recently, I trained new volunteer board members for one of my clients. During our time together, I once again found that one very talented new board member had succumbed to a common myth. This person is a gifted strategic planner and wanted very much to get involved in developing 3-5 year operational plans for this
Don’t Fall for the Volunteer Board vs Staff Myth Read More »
I was training a new set of board members for a client recently and the question that I always hope will get asked came up. One of the trainees said, “I think we really need to stand up for our executive director and take some of the heat off of them.” These are words that will
Board Responsibilities and Who They Protect Read More »
This has become my favorite question for nonprofits and municipalities. Who leads your organization, your board of directors or your executive director and their team? Most people initially look at me as if I have asked them a riddle and then most say, “Well, I think we both do.” My follow-up is, “You’re probably right. How
Executive Director vs Board of Directors. Who’s Leading? Read More »
As an organizational development consultant, I am often in the role of a coach. Earlier this week, I was invited to observe one of my client’s board meetings and give them some feedback. This particular organization has been a client for several years. As you can imagine, I have many hours invested in coaching their board
Effective Organizational Development Consulting Read More »
The cost of not investing is a question most often heard when someone is making choices about their next stock purchase. Recently, however, I was confronted with this question when a potential client was pondering the “cost,” both in dollars and in time, of investing in the organization’s board development, especially as it pertains to
The Cost of Neglecting Board Development Read More »
Yesterday, I was once again confronted with a question that I often ponder: are there some nonprofit boards of directors that are not yet ready to govern and that simply have to function as working boards? The idea comes from trying to apply John Carver’s concepts that today are commonly referred to as International Policy Governance
Is Your Nonprofit’s Board of Directors Not Ready to Govern? Read More »
Very bright accounting and finance professionals often find themselves scratching their head after their first experience serving on a board of directors. At almost every board of directors meeting financial reports, Income/Expense and Balance Sheets are presented. Without any further training, the accounting or finance professional begins to use the reports as they would on
Financial Oversight is a Board Responsibility Read More »
If you have been a member of a board of directors in the last 40 years, you have most likely been exposed to the question, “Are you a governance Board?” This question is really asking whether or not your board has moved beyond trying to operate the organization to better understanding its role to oversee
Governance Boards Align Leadership Read More »