I’m a new board president! Now what?
Congratulations! Being elected Board President is a vote of confidence. Your friends may commiserate, but they don't realize that you have superpowers. With you at the helm, you make it possible to build the future your board and staff have envisioned. It will take...
Why are we doing this?
Last night I dined with the interim dean of a college. As we talked about the role of an interim, she pointed out that one of the most important questions an interim can ask “ actually ANY new executive “ is Why? Why? asked with genuine curiosity. Not why the heck...
Why have a Strategic Plan?
If you take the time to read this or other nonprofit board governance blogs, then there's a good chance you have a strategic plan. In a lot of my previous posts, I've talked about keeping your organization on track with the strategic plan and how to keep your board...
Are you challenging your board?
When you recruit for your board, do you tell them that all they have to do is show up to meetings, read some reports, and vote on some things? Or do you challenge them to be active participants? In the for-profit world, it's recognized that promoting human values can...
Should you join that board? What to ask before accepting a board position.
You're smart, you're passionate, and you know a lot of people. Chances are, sooner or later, you're going to be asked to sit on the board of a nonprofit. Now what? Before you say yes, here are some conversation starters to help you make up your mind: Tell me about the...
Nominating the Right Board President
Campaigns, Caucuses, Primaries & Promises¦¦ It's the quadrennial Presidential election season, and everyone wants your vote. While a contested election may be good for the country, doing the same for your nonprofit just distracts you from delivering your mission....
It’s February. Do you know where your strategic plan is?
You probably spent time and money developing a strategic plan. Your board voted to approve it. Perhaps a board committee created it; maybe your executive director and senior staff. Where is it now? That big report sitting on the shelf isn't going to do your...
Help Your Board Take Ownership of Ambassadorship
Your board was fired up back in the Fall. Now it's January. You're bogged down in minutiae as you hassle over the financials; anticipate planning next year's budget; discuss what went wrong with the gala. How do you turn this working board into a board of...
7 ways to keep Your Board Focused
My board doesn't focus on important things; we spend half our meetings rehashing old votes or talking about the cost of office supplies, and then the last 10 minutes on something that affects the entire organization. Sound familiar? Some of the fault lies in board...
A New Year’s Resolution for a Nonprofit President
This year, I resolve to stay focused on our cause and our mission. In the past year, we have spent too many hours talking about finances. We've spent too many hours focusing on what we lack. And we've spent too few hours remembering why we care about this very worthy...
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