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Being on a Board: What's It All About? <br />Grant Professionals Association<br />Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference 2011<br />May 16, 2011<br />Marion Conway<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />1<br />

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Basic Responsibilities Principles of Nonprofit Corporation Law<br />Duty of Care <br />Be Informed<br />Discharge duties in good faith and with prudence <br />Duty of Loyalty <br />Act in best interest of the organization<br />Avoid conflict of interest, Maintain confidentiality <br />Duty of Obedience<br />Be faithful to the organization’s mission<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />2<br />

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Basic Responsibilities Legal and Financial<br />Select the Chief Executive<br />Ensure legal and ethical integrity<br />Ensure adequate financial resources<br />Maintain financial accountability<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />3<br />

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Basic ResponsibilitiesTraditional<br />Determine the organization’s mission and purpose<br />Support the ED and assess his or her performance<br />Manage resources effectively<br />Lead strategic planning<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />4<br />

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Basic Responsibilities Traditional<br />Determine, monitor and strengthen programs <br />Enhance the organization’s public standing<br />Recruit and orient new Board members <br />Assess board performance<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />5<br />

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Basic ResponsibilitiesAll Board Members<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />6<br />

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Desired Competencies in Board Members<br />Passion for the mission<br />Understanding community needs<br />Willing to commit time<br />Team player - works well in a group<br />Good listener<br />Skills – ex. financial, legal, marketing, human resources, technology, fundraising<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />7<br />

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Characteristics of a Successful Board Member<br />Honest<br />Enthusiastic<br />Open Minded<br />Team Player<br />Competent<br />Sense of humor<br />Tackles complex problems with energy<br />Takes orderly approach to decision making<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />8<br />

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Board’s Role Financial Oversight<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />9<br /><ul><li>Policies

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Capital Budget

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Financial Reports

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Audit

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Operating Budget</li></ul> <br />

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The Role of Board Committees<br />Responsibilities:<br />Develop recommendations for Board action<br />Oversee policy implementation<br />Deal with specific concerns of the Board<br />Assist staff with executing the mission<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />10<br />

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Benefits of Committees<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />11<br />

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Emerging Trends in Nonprofit Boards in the 21st Century<br />Raising the Bar……<br />Governance<br />Accountability<br />Leadership<br />Philanthropy<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />12<br />

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Governance – What Is It?<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />13<br />

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A Culture of Accountability<br />Understand Board and Staff Roles<br />Don’t Be a Rubber Stamp<br />Adopt Conflict of Interest Policy<br />Publish an Annual Report<br />Develop a Code of Ethics<br />Manage Risks<br />Comply with Laws<br />Use Resources Wisely<br />Establish a Gift Policy<br />Assess Executive Compensation<br />Nurture New Leaders<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />14<br />

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Leadership in the 21st Century<br />Demonstrate PASSION for the cause<br />Accountability to the COMMUNITY<br />Ambassadors to the community<br />Leadership in spirit - Pass along the covenant<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />15<br />

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Does the Board Have a Role in Fundraising?<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />16<br />

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Board Involvement with Fundraising<br />Make a personal financial commitment<br />Introduce potential donors <br />Participate in soliciting gifts <br />Build relationships with supporters<br />Be an ambassador in the community<br />Organize, attend events<br />Thank donors<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />17<br />

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Philanthropy Best Definition Ever<br />Philanthropy is the mystical minglingof a "Joyful Giver, a Grateful Recipient and an Artful Asker<br /> -Doug Lawson<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />18<br />

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Make Serving a Win-Win<br />Volunteer to be on committees<br />Volunteer to LEAD committees<br />Learn details of financial oversight<br />Interact with ED, funders, donors, volunteers from a Board member perspective<br />Experience “Making the Ask”<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />19<br />

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Before Joining a Board…….What I Need to Know About the Nonprofit<br />Mission and Programs<br />Strategic Plan<br />Audit and financial reports<br />Understand the board responsibilities <br />Who are the other board members? <br />Does the organization have D&O liability coverage? <br />How much of my time will be required? <br />Does the organization provide board education? <br />What is the board's role in fundraising? <br />Will I be expected to make a specific financial contribution? <br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />20<br />

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Before Joining a Board…….What I Need to Know About Myself<br />Am I passionate about this cause?<br />Can I contribute the expected financial support?<br />What do I want to learnand gain from board service?<br />What are the ways that I can contribute as a board member? <br />What role will I be expected to perform in fundraising? <br />Can I give the time necessary to be an effective board member? <br />Can I place the organization's interests above my own interests when making decisions as a board member? <br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />21<br />

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How Do I Find a Board to Join?<br /><ul><li>Friends

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Fellow board members

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Volunteer

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Online databases </li></ul>Boardnetusa.org<br />VolunteerMatch.org<br /><ul><li>Online Networking</li></ul>Facebook<br />LinkedIn<br />5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />22<br />

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Resources for Board Members<br /><ul><li>Boardsource.org

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BlueAvocado.org

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IndependentSector.org

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Guidestar.org

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Foundationcenter.org

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Governancematters.org</li></ul>5/16/11<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />23<br />

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24<br />Marion Conway<br />Email: marionconway@aol.com<br />Blog: http://marionconwaynonprofitconsultant.blogspot.com<br />Website: marionconwayconsulting.com<br />Twitter: MarionConway<br />LinkedIn: Marion Conway<br />Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marionconwayconsulting<br />All photos courtesy of Creative Commons License<br />Marion Conway Consulting<br />Slides are available at Slideshare.net – Search People: Marion Conway<br />