Board Management of Nonprofit Organizations
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A non-profit’s management is often a position filled by volunteers who are passionate about the cause. The work is not always simple, but it can be rewarding. One of the most challenging aspects of the job is board management. Board members are frequently distracted by the larger picture of their tasks and may forget the essential details needed to ensure that the nonprofit runs smoothly. This can manifest in large ways, such as the hiring of an executive director, or smaller ones, such as making a decision on the price for a feature service.
There are a lot of resources that can assist board members in managing their responsibility effectively. According to the Leading with Intent guide from 2015, the most important board responsibilities are financial oversight, fundraising, community-building, and advocacy. It is crucial that each member of the board is aware of these responsibilities and can carry out them effectively.
Boards can be arranged with different committees to help them simplify their work and increase overall performance. A committee for fundraising events, for instance could be responsible for planning events and managing the donor database. Another committee could be charged with recruiting new members and orienting them and also conducting performance evaluations of the board. A third committee could concentrate on the internal processes and operations of the board, including the development of policies. A fourth committee could concentrate on governance.
Whatever the structure of the board, it should be well-staffed and equipped with tools to streamline the board’s responsibilities and promote open communication and transparency. Board software, for example can simplify the process of meeting, and make it easier to stay in control of your responsibilities.