Being on a Board What's It All About

Marion Conway Consulting 1

Being on a Board: What's It

All About?

Grant Professionals AssociationMid-Atlantic Regional Conference 2011

May 16, 2011

Marion Conway5/16/11


Basic Responsibilities Principles of Nonprofit Corporation Law

• Duty of Care – Be Informed– Discharge duties in good faith and with prudence

• Duty of Loyalty – Act in best interest of the organization– Avoid conflict of interest, Maintain confidentiality

• Duty of Obedience– Be faithful to the organization’s mission

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Basic Responsibilities Legal and Financial

• Select the Chief Executive

• Ensure legal and ethical integrity

• Ensure adequate financial resources

• Maintain financial accountability

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Basic Responsibilities Traditional

• Determine the organization’s mission and purpose

• Support the ED and assess his or her performance

• Manage resources effectively

• Lead strategic planning

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Basic Responsibilities Traditional

• Determine, monitor and strengthen programs

• Enhance the organization’s public standing

• Recruit and orient new Board members

• Assess board performance

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Basic Responsibilities

All Board Members

Participate in Board Meetings

Chair and/or serve on committees

Review and approve budget and other board resolutions

Make a personal financial commitment

Participate in fundraising

Participate in strategic planning

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Desired Competencies in Board Members

• Passion for the mission• Understanding community needs• Willing to commit time• Team player - works well in a group• Good listener• Skills – ex. financial, legal, marketing, human

resources, technology, fundraising

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Characteristics of a Successful Board Member

• Honest• Enthusiastic• Open Minded• Team Player• Competent• Sense of humor• Tackles complex problems with energy• Takes orderly approach to decision making

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Board’s Role Financial Oversight

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Policies

Capital Budget

Financial

Reports

Audit

Operating

Budget


The Role of Board Committees

Responsibilities:

• Develop recommendations for Board action

• Oversee policy implementation

• Deal with specific concerns of the Board

• Assist staff with executing the mission5/16/11


Benefits of Committees

Efficiency

Uses Individual Skills and

Commitment

Diverse Opinions

Considered

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Emerging Trends in Nonprofit Boards in the 21st Century

Raising the Bar……• Governance• Accountability• Leadership• Philanthropy

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Governance – What Is It?

Fulfilling the Board’s

responsibilities and protecting the public Interest

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A Culture of Accountability

• Understand Board and Staff Roles

• Don’t Be a Rubber Stamp• Adopt Conflict of Interest

Policy• Publish an Annual Report• Develop a Code of Ethics

• Manage Risks• Comply with Laws• Use Resources Wisely• Establish a Gift Policy• Assess Executive

Compensation• Nurture New Leaders

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Leadership in the 21st Century

• Demonstrate PASSION for the cause

• Accountability to the COMMUNITY

• Ambassadors to the community

• Leadership in spirit - Pass along the covenant

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Does the Board Have a Role in Fundraising?

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Board Involvement with Fundraising

• Make a personal financial commitment

• Introduce potential donors

• Participate in soliciting gifts

• Build relationships with supporters

• Be an ambassador in the community

• Organize, attend events

• Thank donors

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Philanthropy Best Definition Ever

Philanthropy is the mystical mingling of a "Joyful Giver, a

Grateful Recipient and an Artful Asker

-Doug Lawson

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Make Serving a Win-Win

• Volunteer to be on committees

• Volunteer to LEAD committees

• Learn details of financial oversight• Interact with ED, funders, donors, volunteers

from a Board member perspective

• Experience “Making the Ask”

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Before Joining a Board…….What I Need to Know About the Nonprofit

• Mission and Programs• Strategic Plan• Audit and financial reports• Understand the board responsibilities • Who are the other board members? • Does the organization have D&O liability coverage? • How much of my time will be required? • Does the organization provide board education? • What is the board's role in fundraising? • Will I be expected to make a specific financial contribution?

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Before Joining a Board…….What I Need to Know About Myself

• Am I passionate about this cause?

• Can I contribute the expected financial support?

• What do I want to learn and gain from board service?

• What are the ways that I can contribute as a board member?

• What role will I be expected to perform in fundraising?

• Can I give the time necessary to be an effective board member?

• Can I place the organization's interests above my own interests when making decisions as a board member?

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How Do I Find a Board to Join?

Friends Fellow board membersVolunteerOnline databases

• Boardnetusa.org• VolunteerMatch.org

Online Networking• Facebook• LinkedIn

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Resources for Board Members

• Boardsource.org• BlueAvocado.org• IndependentSector.org• Guidestar.org• Foundationcenter.org • Governancematters.org

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Marion Conway

• Email: [email protected]

• Blog: http://marionconwaynonprofitconsultant.blogspot.com

• Website: marionconwayconsulting.com

• Twitter: MarionConway

• LinkedIn: Marion Conway

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marionconwayconsulting

All photos courtesy of Creative Commons License

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Being on a Board What's It All About