Boards of non-profit organizations bear many responsibilities, and they need to be focused on their mission. This can sometimes be forgotten in the day-to-day operations of a board. This could manifest in major policy-related decisions, or in small things such as the number of people you invite to an event. Either way, if your board isn’t up to speed in its mission-related management, the impact of the non-profit organization will be reduced.
One of the biggest things a nonprofit board has to do is make sure that all members are able and willing to give their time and expertise to the cause. This means ensuring that the board is comprised of people who aren’t likely to be enticed or conflicted by their own desires and that the board does not give positions to friends and family members. The best way to do this is to establish and observing the rules of the board.
Other important aspects of governing the board of a non-profit organization include:
Board development committees must be active in reaching out to potential candidates and create an efficient selection and vetting procedure. They also have the responsibility for ensuring there is a pool of committed volunteers who are eager to join the board to serve the mission of the nonprofit.
A nonprofit board should also have a committee devoted to ensuring the success of the organization over the long term. The committee will be accountable for developing and advancing the goals and vision of the organization. The committee should also assist in defining and overseeing the implementation of modern governance strategies.