3. 1. Nonprofit organizations are
essential to our society.
Their success and
effectiveness determine how
we live and the way we thrive.
T H E
4. “If we are together
nothing is impossible;
if we are
divided
all will fail.”
T H E
Sir Winston Churchill
5. 2. The relationship between the
CEO and the Governing Board
(especially the Board Chair)
is the single most important
factor in determining the
success of an organization.
T H E
7. 3. The Board Chair is responsible for
preventing Board members from
micro-managing the CEO and
other members of the senior staff.
This includes disciplining Board
members to ensure their behavior
is positive, and more
importantly, respectful.
T H E
8. T H E
“Anyone who has never
made a mistake
has never
tried
anything new.”
Albert Einstein
9. T H E
4. The Board has ONE employee.
The organization’s
CEO, Executive Director, or
Head of School, depending on
the title used by the
organization.
10. T H E
“All cruel people
describe
themselves
as paragons of
frankness.”
Tennessee Williams
11. T H E
5. Even the best Board is subject
to chaos and turmoil, brought
on by the actions of just a few
trustees. Those who come with
an agenda are usually
passionate about their own
express cause. Not about the
good of the organization.
13. T H E
6. These seven characteristics define
the relationship between the CEO
and the Governing Board:
• Communication & Collaboration
• Respect
• Trust
• Support
• Shared Vision
• Attitude
• Leadership
14. “An army of lions
commanded by
a deer
will never be
an army of lions.”
T H E
Napoleon
15. T H E
7. The Board Chair’s five most
important responsibilities
1. Encourage Board members to work together.
2. Insist that interactions and relationships be civil and
positive, even when disagreements arise.
3. Position the CEO as a trustworthy, respectful leader.
4. EnsureBoard members focuson coreresponsibilities:
mission, strategy, policy, and planning.
5. Resist temptation to micro-manage any member of
the senior staff or meddle in their business affairs.
16. “Hope is a good
thing, maybe
the best of
things,
and no good thing
ever dies.”
T H E
(From The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King)
Tim Robbins
17. T H E
8. The Governance Promise is the
best hope you have in order to
build the kind of relationship
that will make a difference to
your organization.
18. “We have committed
the Golden Rule
to memory,
let us now
commit it
to life.”
T H E
Edwin Markham
19. T H E
9. The Board Chair and trustees must
avoid causing and creating extreme
conflicts. Instead, they should
always be prepared to find a
common ground for the good of the
organization. Teamwork is the most
valuable characteristic of any
successful Board.
20. “Nothing can stop
someone with the
right mental attitude
From achieving
their goal; nothing
on earth can help
someone with the
wrong mental attitude.”
T H E
Thomas Jefferson
21. 10. Attitude is everything!
If you don’t think so—wait until you
encounter someone who has a very
bad one…and then try to work together
with that individual to achieve goals for
the organization!
T H E
22. T H E
Dr. William R. Mott is a consultant, speaker, teacher, and author. He has assisted hundreds
of organizations; these include many independent
schools, colleges, museums, libraries, churches, and non-profits with
governance, fundraising, marketing, and management.
Dr. Mott is an expert in all aspects of Board governance issues and challenges.
For more information, just Click Here to visit his website
For information about The Board Game, Click Here.
Thank You!
And finally, remember to always:
