14. Qualities of Boards Effective Boards Ineffective Boards Clear roles (6) Members not engaged (6) Orientation and ongoing training (6) Do not understand roles or responsibilities (6) Diverse (6) Lack of orientation or trainings (4) Uses effective committee structure (5) Lack of diversity (4) Good board and CEO relationship (5) Poor board and CEO relationship (3) Financially supports the organization (5) Bad board meetings (2) Assurance of fiscal health (4) No financial support of organization (2) Focus on mission and vision (3) Lack of confidence in roles (2) Annual review of strategic plan (3) No consistent structure (2) Strategic (3) Staff dependent (2)
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26. The Leadership Role of Nonprofit Boards Joan A. Hensleit-Minasian, MA [email_address] 559-259-6722
Editor's Notes
Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in society. Their focus on meeting needs that would otherwise go unmet, espcially in the areas of education, the environment, and social services, has resulted in their increasingly significant role central to the well being and health of our communities and our nation.
The purpose of the study for my thesis in Leadership and Organizational Studies was to… In my personal experience in working with nonprofit organizations, I have discovered that there tends to be significant issues associated with boards of directors… And no easy or quick fix to resolve the dysfunction.
Too many boards interpret their role as one of overlooking as opposed to overseeing. This results in a reactive mindset rather than a proactive one.
This trend has not resolved the issues that face nonprofits. Rather, it has only served to send the message that fixing the board is a difficult task. No matter how many seminars one attends, how many books one reads, or how many consultants promise a transformed board…board structure and governance continue to remain the same.
Interviews (face-to-face or by phone). Cumulative of 275 years experience. ED, Board Chair, Consultant, Author Ten predetermined questions, transcribed and evaluated.
The current model of effective board governance was identified as one possessing the widely accepted and understoon board roles that emanate from the rather broad and vague “duty to care” legal standard for board performance.
“Diversity brings more discussion at board meetings because it’s not a homogeneous point of view. It is a point of view that people will bring from their optics, and I tell you, it’s the greatest discussion, and you are able to make good decisions when people bring points up because they live it and breathe it every day” (Participant 5)
By embracing 21 st century thinking, we break the cycle of “we’ve always done it that way” or “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” (just keep using it to death!) Change is the norm in our world…governance models need to be fluid. Information
Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in society. Their focus on meeting needs that would otherwise go unmet, espcially in the areas of education, the environment, and social services, has resulted in their increasingly significant role central to the well being and health of our communities and our nation.
![Nonprofits in the United States ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)