When Board members gather, what are ostensibly shared interests and goals may in fact consist of different or divergent underlying priorities making it difficult to reach consensus. Here is a short list of proven tools to overcome differences and successfully accomplish the goals that will further the interests of your Board The Board Chair Should… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: Nonprofit Governance
E-mail Responses to Unanimous Written Consents, Legal At Last!
Under this definition of an electronic signature, responding yes or no in response to a question regarding whether a measure is approved suffices as an electronic signature for purposes of a unanimous written consent. This change makes it much easier to obtain approval of resolutions particularly with regard to time sensitive matters. Continue Reading
Six Smart Moves Great Board Chairs Make
3. Think Big. Boards without great leadership can get bogged down in the minutia. The minutia include the compliance and oversight responsibilities of the board. While it’s important to do these things well, it’s not the organization’s raison d’être. Great board chairs help steer the board clear of this phenomenon by keeping the board focused on their vision of the impact the board wants to make on the community the organization serves. Great board chairs understand that focusing on the organization’s breakthrough goals rather than busywork keeps the board energized and engaged. Continue Reading
Top 10 Nonprofit Governance Mistakes
Failing to Understand Fiduciary Duties. When you volunteer to serve as a director or officer of a nonprofit, you accept the responsibility to act with the duties of good faith, due care and loyalty. You also accept the potential liability for failing to fulfill those duties. Increased scrutiny from the I.R.S., Congress, state attorneys general, the Department of Justice, donors and the media require vigilance at every step. It is no longer sufficient to rubber stamp committee or staff recommendations or to simply “abstain” from dicey decisions. Today, board service comes with real responsibilities and real consequences for those that fail to live up to them. Continue Reading