Boards and Volunteers

It is imperative that you understand board chair dynamics. Never take this responsibility for granted. Your organizational success as an executive depends in part on the progress of the volunteer board you help guide. Enjoy the experience, and embrace the ever-changing challenge.

We need younger and engaged volunteers on nonprofit organization boards. Many boards do not have or enforce term limits, and the average age of many board members is over 50.

Go into each meeting prepared with a formal or informal agenda, a sense of timing and desired outcomes.

Sadly, transitions in staff replacements in the nonprofit world typically do not lend themselves to smooth transitions of information.

Your goal as a head fundraiser/head football coach is to always have the best team of staff and volunteers in the game.

Whether you are staff or volunteer, be sure that your board has systems and practices to enable its members to be the stewards of your organization. They hold a public trust, and at the end of the day this starts and stops with their oversight of the CEO.

Reach out and deepen relationships with your board! Get your calls returned right away, and have your board members asking, "How can I help?"

Former board members and, in particular, former board chairs, can be a core source of resources, insight and funds for a nonprofit.
 

Board members are a crucial part of any nonprofit organization's success. When they "get it," it makes for a fabulous relationship with the development team that benefits the organization and, ultimately, its cause. But when they don't … well, it ain't pretty.

Donors want confidence that an organization's important initiatives have been carefully thought out and are aligned with its mission. This is where having a strategic plan is an important step in being prepared for a successful major campaign.