Boards and Governance Archives

In my experience working with nonprofits in the arts, education, human services, and more — no matter the mission, a solid infrastructure is essential.

Let me ask: How do you feel every day when you walk through the doors of your office? Do you feel energized, refreshed, excited, impassioned? Do you feel ready to take on the day, knowing your resources are in place and secure, and ready to Make Mission Happen?

We know that boards influence the performance of your nonprofit. So, having an effective board is very important to your mission — and that’s what you care about, right? One of the biggest opportunities you have to ensure your board realizes its full potential and advances your organization’s mission is in orienting new board members effectively. Yet, while so many nonprofits do orient new board members, most nonprofits make three big mistakes in their board orientations causing them to lose valuable time and resources.

Engaging board members productively in fundraising is a common challenge. The emphasis is on productively. After all, our organizations do not need board members selecting napkin colors for a gala or organizing a restaurant night that raises $200. Our organizations need board members who truly embrace their role in fundraising and are engaged at an appropriate level. It begins with...

I’m constantly surprised by leaders in organizations dismissing the importance of a clear, concise, and comprehensible vision statement as an essential tool for coordinating collaboration. It should be lucid, illuminating the core purpose the organization serves. It should be short – fifteen words max, preferably fewer. And it should be made up of words that are loaded with value and feeling. That’s what makes them understandable and sticky. You can remember them easily. They can refocus and align your hearts and heads quickly in the midst of distractions and disputes.

During his freshman orientation, my younger son was introduced to HALT – Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired – a stress management technique. For entering college students, it was supposed to help them increase self-awareness and understand what was going on with themselves and how this affected their interactions with roommates and others. It was geared to help them from becoming less pleasant versions of their normal selves. HALT resonates with me. Especially regarding nonprofit boards and board meetings.

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Boards and Governance

Ignore Infrastructure at Your Nonprofit’s Peril

Self-Care for Nonprofit Leaders: What About Me?

The Three Mistakes Nonprofit Leaders Make Orienting Board Members

How to Engage Board Members in Fundraising Productively

Vision Statement: Is Your Organization Playing the Right Melody?

HALT – So Your Board Members Can be Their Best Selves