This document discusses common board-related challenges for nonprofits and provides information on Founder's Syndrome. It lists 10 common challenges nonprofits face including finding committed board members, getting board members to help raise funds, and reticence to accept changes. It then provides definitions and explanations of Founder's Syndrome, how it can affect organizations during a founder's tenure and after they leave. It notes the syndrome occurs when an organization operates primarily according to the personality of a prominent person rather than its mission.

1. LUNCH DISCUSSION
Overcoming Board-Related Challenges
Affiliates LEAD 2010
Jane Page-Steiner, President Allison Wixted, Pharm.D.
JPS Nonprofit Strategies, LLC DSA of Greater Richmond (VA)
jane@jpsnonprofit.com VCU Nonprofit Management Certificate Student
www.jpsnonprofit.com dsagrbuddywalk@yahoo.com
Common Board-Related Challenges for Nonprofits:
1. Finding people to take on core leadership responsibilities and the challenges of
moving the organization to the next level in its lifecycle.
2. Finding capable, committed board members.
3. Difficulty enlisting board members to help raise funds.
4. Board members not following through with agreed responsibilities.
5. Getting board members to really step up to the plate and govern and steer the
organization.
6. Planning, particularly long term strategic planning.
7. Evaluating programs & services.
8. Reticence to accept changes in management and new ways of thinking, including
Founder's Syndrome.
9. Taking on too many new initiatives without adequate resources (HR, capital, etc.).
10. Burnout of talented, committed senior staff.
Source:
“Nonprofits' Three Greatest Challenges”
http://www2.guidestar.org/rxa/news/articles/2005/nonprofits-three-greatest-challenges.aspx?articleId=780

2. Founder’s Syndrome:
Definition: This syndrome occurs when, rather than working toward its overall mission, the
organization operates primarily according to the personality of a prominent person in the
organization, for example, the founder, board chair/president, chief executive, etc.
Founders' Syndrome: During Tenure of Founder
A Typical Problem in Small Organizations
Some Troublesome Traits Among Founders
Typical Traits of Well-Developed Leaders
Basic Principles in Developing Leadership
Actions Boards Must Take
Actions Founders Must Take
Actions Staff Might Take
Transitioning to a New Chief Executive
Founder's Syndrome: When New Chief Executive Replaces Founder
Typical Symptoms
Actions Boards Must Take
Actions New Chief Executive Must Take Before Taking the Job
Actions New Chief Executive Must Take After Taking the Job
What if Founder Left Organization in a Mess?
Source:
“Founder's Syndrome: How Corporations Suffer -- and Can Recover”
http://managementhelp.org/misc/founders.htm