One of the fastest ways to destroy a nonprofit is for board members and the executive director to start confusing their roles and stepping on one another’s toes.
The old saying that “boards govern and staff manage” are good guidelines, but they do not sufficiently provide details. The general understanding is that the Board provides strategic advice and counsel to management and plays an oversight role. However, directors should not interfere in the organization’s day-to-day business.
Running the day-to-day business is the purview of the Executive Director, who may also be referred to as the CEO, President, Principal, etc. Staff report to the chief executive. Often, tension arises because the line between governance and management isn’t always clear.
Governance: What a Nonprofit’s Board of Directors handles
- selecting and evaluating the Chief Executive;
- setting compensation for the Chief Executive
- approving the annual budget;
- approving long-term strategic plans;
- amending governing documents;
- overseeing financial and legal compliance;
- ensuring the organization has sufficient resources; and
- selecting their replacements.
The Board is permitted to delegate some tasks to committees, staff, and qualified professionals; however, the Board cannot delegate oversight. The Board must remain in the loop regarding the progress of delegated tasks.
Boards have many tools at their disposal to ensure they have the information they need to govern. Specifically, the Board can approve the strategic plan, formulate organizational goals, set budgets, implement policies.
The Board should receive regular reports from staff, committees, and others to whom various tasks have been delegated to monitor progress toward organizational objectives and compliance with their policies. Further, the Board should carefully review financial reports, Form 990s, financial statements, satisfaction surveys, and other indicia of performance to evaluate the organization’s programs and financial well-being.
From time to time, there are reports of nonprofit scandals in the news and such reports can make Board members nervous about their role and potential liability. Such fears can motivate Board members to cross the line into management. This undermines the Executive Director’s ability to lead and disrupts the organization’s operations.
A better approach is to show up to meetings, read the materials beforehand, and ask probing questions. If the answers are not satisfactory, then it may be time to dig deeper. Finally, it’s important for directors to understand the Board must always act as a group according to its governing documents. No one director, not even the chair, has the authority to make unilateral decisions on behalf of the Board.
Management
Once the Board has adopted clear policies, procedures, budgets and strategic plans that give the Executive Director clear direction, the Executive Director’s focus should be on implementing the strategic plan within those limits.
Further, the Executive Director can help the Board focus on the big picture and avoid delving into minutia by not asking the Board to approve management decisions at the Board level.
Often, an Executive Director with an ask permission attitude is merely inviting micromanagement. A better approach is to make decisions within the parameters of the strategic plan, budget, policies, and procedures and ask forgiveness if certain board members are unhappy with the decision.
For the Board/Executive Director relationship to be effective, both parties must understand and respect their role. There is a need to establish and maintain clear expectations for the Board and the directors because a board that excessively involves itself in management can inhibit the organization’s effectiveness.
However, it is often true that in smaller nonprofits with limited staff positions or experience, Board members may, out of necessity, perform more tasks typically associated with management.
Ellis Carter is a nonprofit lawyer with Caritas Law Group, P.C. She advises nonprofit and socially responsible businesses on corporate, tax, and fundraising regulations.  Ellis is licensed to practice in Washington and Arizona and advises nonprofits on federal tax and fundraising regulations nationwide. She also advises donors with regard to major gifts. To schedule a consultation with Ellis, call 602-456-0071 or email us through our contact form.