Good governance is essential to the long-term viability and leadership of non-profit organizations. Not all nonprofit boards are run well. In fact, a poorly-managed board can cause the organization to fail. If your organization is new or has been in existence for a while, making sure your board is in good working order can assist it in overcoming challenges and make progress in the long run.
The most important job of a nonprofit board is the development of a strategic vision. The board should be comprised of people who are willing to put in the time and effort required to accomplish this task. This requires a comprehensive selection process to identify the ideal mix of diverse backgrounds, skills and knowledge. It is important to provide education and support to both the new and seasoned members of the board when they work together and make decisions at the highest level regarding the non-profit.
If the board has a priority for strategic goals, they should be able trust the executive director to oversee the day-today operations of the non-profit. Nonprofits should not depend solely on the committees of the board for operations. This can result in inefficiency as well as a lack of accountability.
When a nonprofit board doesn’t have an official CEO it typically operates under the Cooperative Government Model. This is a democratized model that distributes power evenly between the board members. It is recommended that board members show equal dedication to the organization and are willing to be accountable for their actions. To reduce conflicts of interest the non-profit should draft a well-written policy on conflict of interest and review the policy with board members frequently.
