Being on a Board What's It All About

Being on a Board: What's It All About?
Grant Professionals Association
Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference 2011
May 16, 2011
Marion Conway
5/16/11
Marion Conway Consulting
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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 ResponsibilitiesTraditional
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 ResponsibilitiesAll Board Members
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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 mission
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Benefits of Committees
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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?
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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 minglingof 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 learnand 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 members
Volunteer
Online 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: marionconway@aol.com
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

by Marion Conway on May 16, 2011

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