Training provided to Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Denver, September 2015. As part of any nonprofit board, make sure to ask the organization and yourself important questions to ensure that you are prepared to govern responsibly. Performing due diligence on board leadership is critical for your and your organization’s well-being, liability, and accountability. Join us on September 8th to learn tips about serving on a board and excelling in board leadership as an ambassador for any organization’s mission. In this session learn: • The basic purpose and responsibilities of any nonprofit board. • About ensuring financial and human resources as a board member. • How to find a match for your skills and interests as a young nonprofit professional.

1. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
BEFORE YOU JOIN A BOARD OF
DIRECTORS:
COVER YOUR BASES
Emily Davis
Emily Davis Consulting
September 8, 2015

2. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
TURN ON YOUR TECH
Follow the conversation…
@YNPNDenver
@AskEmilyD
#governance
#nonprofit
#leadership
#philanthropy

3. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance

4. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
QUICK POLL
How many of you are…
q Serving on 1 committee?
q Serving on 2 or more committees?
q Interested in joining a board for the
first time?
q Currently serving on 1 board?
q Currently serving on 2 or more
boards?

5. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance

6. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance

7. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
PERSONAL PLANNING
• How many boards will you sit on?
• Board terms
• Type of board
• Board size, demographics
• Financial support
• Clarity of expectations

8. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
ESSENTIALS OF BOARD LEADERSHIP

9. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
10 BASIC BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Determine mission &
purpose
2. Select the chief
executive
3. Support & evaluate
the chief executive
4. Ensure effective
planning
5. Monitor & strengthen
programs & services
6. Ensure adequate
financial resources
7. Protect assets &
provide financial
oversight
8. Build a competent
board
9. Ensure legal & ethical
integrity
10. Enhance the
organization’s public
standing

10. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
BOARD ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Set
organizational
direction

11. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
BOARD ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Set
organizational
direction
Provide
oversight

12. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
BOARD ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Set
organizational
direction
Provide
oversight
Ensure
necessary
resources

13. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
FUNDRAISING PROCESS
Prospecting Identification Preparation
Cultivating Build the
Relationship
Engage the
Donor Ask for the Gift
Stewarding Recognition Reporting Communicating Engagement

14. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
THE DIFFERENT HATS WE WEAR…
Legal Hat
Ambassador
Hat
Volunteer
Hat

15. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN
AMBASSADOR?

16. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
GREAT AMBASSADORS

17. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
Board
Leads
Shares values thru policies
that put mission in action
Hires, supports, assesses
ED
Opens funding resources in
community
Oversees financial due
diligence
Recruits & retains new
board members
ED Leads
Develops/ Proposes policy
questions
Hires, supervises,
motivates staff
Develops & implements
programs
Shared
Leadership
Strategic plan
Fundraising plan &
strategies
Evaluations
Prep board meetings
SHARED LEADERSHIP

18. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
Identify
Cultivate
Recruit
Orient
Involve
Educate
Evaluate
Rotate
CELEBRATE!

19. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
EXPECTATIONS

20. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance

21. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
BOARD MEETINGS
AGENDA
• Frequency
• Keep under 2 hours
• Focus on governance
• Strategic plan
priorities, goals
• Mission moments
• Recognition
• Consent agendas
FACILITATION
• Quorum
• Attendees
• Roberta’s Rules of
Order
• Avoid
micromanagement
• Accountability
• Virtual vs. in person

22. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
FOR EVERY MEETING
• Serve mission
• Location
• Outcomes
• Connect strategic
plan
• Agenda – out 3
days prior with
add’l items
• Honor time
• Shared
responsibilities
– Minutes or notes
(action items &
deadlines)
– Facilitation
• Provide food
• Follow up

23. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
FACILITATION TIPS

24. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU
How does this serve the mission?
Does it fit our strategic goals?
What’s our capacity?
What does success look like?
Keep it high level!

25. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
• Accountability
• Org insurance
• Bylaws and more
• Included in board
book & orientation
• Board’s
responsibility to
maintain
• Strategic plan
• Job descriptions
• Personnel
• Online engagement
• Whistle blower
• Anti-discrimination
• Financial
management
• Code of ethics
• Gift policies
• Conflict of interest

26. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Critical for success
• In-services or required professional
development
• Hire outside facilitator
• Examples:
– Financial management
– Communications
– Fundraising
– Leadership
– Programs

27. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
• Don’t be afraid of conflict!
• What is the process for
conflict resolution?
• Don’t take it personally
• What is best for the
mission?
• How will you demonstrate
excellent leadership?

28. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
EVALUATION
• Individual board performance
• Board performance: meetings,
decision-making, etc.
• Chair performance
• Committee performance
• Executive Director performance
• Organizational performance

29. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
RECOGNITION
• Share successes
• Connect successes to
board efforts
• Highlight individual board
member accomplishments
• Proper recognition at
term’s end
• Stay connected

30. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
ONE TAKE AWAY

31. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance

32. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
RESOURCES
• BoardSource
• 4Good
• The Policy
Governance Model
(Carver)
• Council of Nonprofits
• Roberta’s Rules of
Order
• A Fundraising Guide
for Nonprofit Board
Members
• Nonprofit Board
Answer Book
• Creating Caring and
Capable Boards
• 10 Basic
Responsibilities of
Nonprofit Boards
• The Board Building
Cycle
• The Nonprofit Policy
Sampler

33. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
BOOK SIGNING!

34. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
DRAWING!
Books for sale & signing
with a discount:
$39.95 + tax
Credit card & check

35. /emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD
@YNPNDenver
#nonprofit
#governance
Emily Davis, MNM
Emily Davis Consulting
(720) 515-0581
emily@emilydavisconsulting.com
emilydavisconsulting.com