Download or read book Nonprofit Boards That Work written by Maureen K. Robinson and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2001-06-15 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praise for Nonprofit Boards That Work "This book offers a refreshing and candid look at the challenges ofnonprofit boards. It moves away from theoretical frameworks to takeyou inside the real world of nonprofit organizations. . . . A mustfor any executive director who needs reassurance that buildingeffective boards is tough work, but well worth the effort."-SherryRockey, Executive Director, International Women's MediaFoundation "Maureen Robinson is uniquely qualified to help us understand theissues related to boards that are effective, those that are not,and why. It is certain that board members, potential board members,and executive directors who read this book will better understandtheir roles and responsibilities, and will be better able to avoidcommon pitfalls. As a result, the impact of their efforts on thosewhom their organizations exist to serve will be enhanced."-RonBurkard, Executive Director, World Neighbors As more than 10 million people in the United States alone say yesto board service, they also expect to see their time and talentsused effectively. This invaluable book presents a straightforwardapproach to understanding the role of the board, tailoring its workto meet the needs of specific organizations, and creating a cultureof board productivity that makes participation rewarding for boardmembers as well as the organizations they serve. Nonprofit BoardsThat Work: * Distinguishes between theory and practice and encourages boardsto explore how they genuinely add value to the work of theorganization * Goes beyond the hows and whys of nonprofit governance to providefrank advice and real-world examples of what works, what doesn't,what requires a miracle, and what can be achieved through diligentand deliberate effort * Offers practical yet flexible strategies that can be tried by anynonprofit board, whatever its current effectiveness . . . and much more to guide nonprofit organizations and theirboards toward accomplishing the goals they seek.

Download or read book Governance as Leadership written by Richard P. Chait and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-01-11 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A new framework for helping nonprofit organizations maximize the effectiveness of their boards. Written by noted consultants and researchers attuned to the needs of practitioners, Governance as Leadership redefines nonprofit governance. It provides a powerful framework for a new covenant between trustees and executives: more macrogovernance in exchange for less micromanagement. Informed by theories that have transformed the practice of organizational leadership, this book sheds new light on the traditional fiduciary and strategic work of the board and introduces a critical third dimension of effective trusteeship: generative governance. It serves boards as both a resource of fresh approaches to familiar territory and a lucid guide to important new territory, and provides a road map that leads nonprofit trustees and executives to governance as leadership. Governance as Leadership was developed in collaboration with BoardSource, the premier resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations. Through its highly acclaimed programs and services, BoardSource enables organizations to fulfill their missions by helping build effective nonprofit boards and offering credible support in solving tough problems. For the latest in nonprofit governance, visit www.boardsource.org, or call us at 1-800-883-6262.

Download or read book Nonprofit Board Service for the Genius written by Susan Schaefer and published by . This book was released on 2015-02-20 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS is a first-of-its kind reference for the millions of people who are seeking to serve on a nonprofit board or already serve on one. It is a fun, informative read that candidly highlights a board member's ups and downs. Perfect for the novice, the veteran who needs a refresher, or the executive director looking to take the group to a higher level; it has been acclaimed by experts as the resource that the sector been waiting for. The book takes the reader through the process of searching for a board, the first year of membership, into the leadership realm, and beyond. It is ideal for these purposes: Decision-making tool for finding the right board Board orientation takeaway Board meeting reference Board development resource Executive director training Nonprofit training text The book and its appendices contain a number of templates and sample documents that will help any nonprofit strengthen its value. Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS moves sequentially through the stages of nomination, early candidacy, and more advanced topics: Part 1: Board Service with Your Eyes Wide Open Chapter 1: Why Would Anyone Want to Serve on a Nonprofit Board? Chapter 2: Board Basics Chapter 3: Just the Facts Chapter 4: Finding the Right Match Chapter 5: Getting From Here to There: From Candidate to Board Member Part 2: Hit the Ground Running Chapter 6: Ready, Set, Action Wait, Who Does What? Chapter 7: Board Anatomy 101 Chapter 8: Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, 990s...Oh My Chapter 9: Creating a Roadmap: Strategic Thinking and Planning Part 3: Digging In Chapter 10: Budgets: A Financial Blueprint Chapter 11: Other Fun Financials Chapter 12: From Ambassador to Advocate Chapter 13: The "F" Word: Fundraising Chapter 14: Risk Management: Covering Your Assets Chapter 15: Measuring Organizational Success: The Board's Role Part 4: Behind the Curtain Chapter 16: Board Recruitment: The Dating Game Chapter 17: Orientation: An Essential Beginning Chapter 18: Make Meetings Magical Part 5: The Care and Feeding of Your Leaders Chapter 19: ED-Chair Partnership: The Dynamic Duo Chapter 20: Supporting and Evaluating the ED Chapter 21: Hiring and Firing the ED Chapter 22: What If Your Leaders Flee to Cancun? Chapter 23: Founders and Long-Time Leaders Part 6: Taking the Reins Chapter 24: Assessing the Board's Performance Chapter 25: Keeping Board Members Engaged and Connected Chapter 26: When Things Go Awry Chapter 27: Board Culture: Boards Are People Too Appendices include a sample board commitment form, individual board member fundraising plan, conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, document retention and destruction policy, and executive director evaluation. Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS is a must-have guide for these groups: Executive directors looking to propel the board to the next level Community members interested in exploring board service Novice board members driven to learn more Veteran board members who would like to brush up on basics or take on a leadership post With real examples of inspiration and what to avoid, the book's vignettes show that board work takes time and commitment, but enables creativity and provides immense personal and professional benefits and opportunities. Its spirited tone will follow readers to the boardroom and into communities around the country.

Download or read book The Little Book of Boards written by Erik Hanberg and published by Side x Side Publishing. This book was released on 2015-02-10 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Are you new to a board and have no idea what’s expected of you? Do you know what a board’s six key responsibilities are? Do you know what your relationship with the Executive Director should be? If not, this book is for you. So many board members—especially of small nonprofits—want to support a nonprofit and readily accept the invitation to join the board. It’s only then that they discover they are in over their heads, with no idea of their expectations and responsibilities. The Little Book of Boards is here to throw that drowning board member a rope. Told with a conversational style, this book will lead you through the basics of being on a board, how meetings work, and what’s expected between meetings. In addition, at the back of the book are several in-depth resources for understanding Roberts Rules of Order, bylaws, committee structures, board leadership, and much more. Perfect for any new board member—or for an entire board that is feeling lost—this book and its common sense approach will serve you every year you are on the board.

Download or read book Joining a Nonprofit Board written by Marc J. Epstein and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-03-23 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praise for Joining a Nonprofit Board ""As an individual who has served on various nonprofit boards, and as the president and CEO of a large nonprofit organization, I can attest to how valuable this book is. Marc Epstein and Warren McFarlan offer insight into the expectations of nonprofit board members, which is extraordinarily beneficial to individuals considering their first nonprofit board and to seasoned professionals already serving on boards." —Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross Excerpted from Foreword" "This book is a roadmap for the business person who wants to serve on a nonprofit board, and unwittingly assumes that the approaches that worked so well in the for-profit world can be seamlessly extrapolated to the nonprofit board room." —Roseanna H. Means, M.D., founder and president, Women of Means "A must-read for all new and existing nonprofit board members. It is full of practical advice that will help improve the effectiveness of nonprofit board members and the organizations they serve." —Roger Servison, president emeritus, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and vice chairman, Boston Symphony Orchestra "What a powerful tool now available for anyone involved with governance of America's nonprofit enterprises. The analysis is cogent and concise, amply supported by real-life examples." —George B. Beitzel, chairman emeritus, Amherst College, and chairman emeritus, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation "Joining a Nonprofit Board offers practical advice in complementing your business experience with the nuances of nonprofit governance, performance, and management in order to fully achieve the societal mission." —Jeffrey C. Thomson, president and CEO, Institute of Management Accountants "This book will guide you through the differences between for-profit and nonprofit organizations (and boards). It will help you navigate through all the nuances in which nonprofit organizations actually operate on a day-to-day basis."—Elaine Ullian, former president, Boston Medical Center "Joining a Nonprofit Board is a must-read. This book should be required reading and distributed at the opening board meeting." —Agnes C. Underwood, former head, Garrison Forest School and National Cathedral School; vice president/managing associate, Carney, Sandoe and Associates "A Board needs a unifying and visionary objective—'It must be World Class.' This book successfully shows how to create a World Class Board." —W. Richard Bingham, former chairman, California Academy of Sciences

Download or read book The Nonprofit Board Answer Book written by BoardSource and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2010-12-21 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Think for a moment of the best conversations you’ve had with friends and colleagues. You were honest with one another—not shy about speaking up but relaxed, even if the topic being discussed was serious in nature. That’s the type of conversation The Nonprofit Board Answer Book aims to have with you in the pages that follow. It follows a question-and-answer format, enabling you to quickly find an answer to a burning question you have right now. At the same time, it’s easy to pick up and read straight through, either cover to cover or one section at a time. At the end of each question-and-answer pairing you’ll find suggested action steps. These offer ways to put the information to a practical use on your own board and within your own nonprofit organization. Implementing some of these steps may lead to more questions as you become even more committed to fulfilling your responsibilities as a board member. Remember: behind every good answer lies a good question. So keep asking those questions.”--from the Introduction

Download or read book Effective Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations written by Thomas Wolf and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2014-01-02 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Managing a nonprofit organization has many challenges. One key to success is building a strong relationship between the executive director and the board of trustees. This book is a treasure trove of information for navigating the personal, political, and legal minefields that cause so many nonprofits to fail. Dozens of case studies illuminate the key issues that often impede the progress of nonprofit organizations. Each chapter also contains a set of questions that enable leaders to reflect on the health of their own organization and also evaluate other nonprofits, as well as to create sustainable, effective business practices and productive working relationships. Topics discussed here include: • Communication between managerial parties • Sharing powers and responsibilities • Fund-raising • Financial oversight and boundaries • Planning programs • Hiring and firing • Developing partnerships •Assessing business practices * Building productive working relationships * And much more Whether you are an executive director, a board member, or someone contemplating either important role, Effective Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations is an excellent resource for understanding the dynamics of nonprofits and creating a strong organization.

Download or read book Boards That Make a Difference written by John Carver and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-03-10 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this revised and updated third edition, Carver continues to debunk the entrenched beliefs and habits that hobble boards and to replace them with his innovative approach to effective governance. This proven model offers an empowering and fundamental redesign of the board role and emphasizes values, vision, empowerment of both the board and staff, and strategic ability to lead leaders. Policy Governance gives board members and staff a new approach to board job design, board-staff relationships, the role of the chief executive, performance monitoring, and virtually every aspect of the board-management relationship. This latest edition has been updated and expanded to include explanatory diagrams that have been used by thousands of Carver's seminar participants. It also contains illustrative examples of Policy Governance model policies that have been created by real-world organizations. In addition, this third edition of Boards That Make a Difference includes a new chapter on model criticisms and the challenges of governance research.

Download or read book Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards written by Richard T. Ingram and published by BoardSource, Inc.. This book was released on 2009 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Designed to help nonprofit board members and senior staff, "The six books address all of the fundamental elements of service common to most boards, including board member responsibilities, how to structure the board in the most efficient manner, and how to accomplish governance work in the spirit of the mission of the organization."--Pg. 2 of Book 1

Download or read book Joan Garry s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership written by Joan Garry and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2017-03-06 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nonprofit leadership is messy Nonprofits leaders are optimistic by nature. They believe with time, energy, smarts, strategy and sheer will, they can change the world. But as staff or board leader, you know nonprofits present unique challenges. Too many cooks, not enough money, an abundance of passion. It’s enough to make you feel overwhelmed and alone. The people you help need you to be successful. But there are so many obstacles: a micromanaging board that doesn’t understand its true role; insufficient fundraising and donors who make unreasonable demands; unclear and inconsistent messaging and marketing; a leader who’s a star in her sector but a difficult boss… And yet, many nonprofits do thrive. Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership will show you how to do just that. Funny, honest, intensely actionable, and based on her decades of experience, this is the book Joan Garry wishes she had when she led GLAAD out of a financial crisis in 1997. Joan will teach you how to: Build a powerhouse board Create an impressive and sustainable fundraising program Become seen as a ‘workplace of choice’ Be a compelling public face of your nonprofit This book will renew your passion for your mission and organization, and help you make a bigger difference in the world.

Download or read book The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance written by BoardSource and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2010-04-19 with total page 420 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE HANDBOOK OF NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE From BoardSource comes The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance. This comprehensive resource explores the overarching question of governance within nonprofit organizations and addresses the roles, structures, and practices of an effective nonprofit. The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance covers the topics that are of most importance to those charged with creating and sustaining effective leadership, including building a board; succession planning; policies; financial oversight; fundraising; planning; strategic planning processes; risk management; and evaluation of the board, CEO, and organization. Praise for The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance "This is the first book I've found that covers the topic of governance from A to Z. I know what I'll be assigning the students in my governance class as a textbook next semester!" —TERRIE TEMKIN, founding principal, CoreStrategies for Nonprofits, Inc. "BoardSource has prepared an exceptional resource for nonprofit boards and leaders. This comprehensive volume offers timely and relevant information about board work and governance, including practical tools and resources that will be valuable to all types of nonprofits." —DAVID O. RENZ, chair, department of public affairs; Beth K. Smith/Missouri Chair in Nonprofit Leadership; and director, Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership; University of Missouri, Kansas City "If you are involved in nonprofit organizations, and if you ever have doubts about how they are best run, this is the book for you-and BoardSource is the place to turn." —FISHER HOWE, consultant, Lavender/Howe & Associates, and author, The Nonprofit Leadership Team BoardSource (formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards) is the premier resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide.

Download or read book Nonprofit Boards and Leadership written by Miriam M. Wood and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 1996 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offers detailed case studies that demonstrate the crucial strategic issues facing nonprofit governing boards and offers board members new methods for dealing with them.

Download or read book The Best of the Board Caf written by Jan Masaoka and published by Turner Publishing Company. This book was released on 2009-06-30 with total page 329 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Bestseller Becomes Even More Pertinent First published in 2005, this collection of CompassPoint online newsletter articles became instantly popular with busy board members of nonprofits. Now updated with new essays that are short enough to read over a cup of coffee, readers will find essential insights on board responsibilities, executive directors, fundraising, finance, and more. New topics include: eleven ways to get a new executive director off to a good start, a board member’s guide to nonprofit insurance, how to take a public stand, working boards versus governing boards, the right way to resign from the board, the best way to raise money, meaningful board-staff acts of appreciation, and what boards need to know about copyrights.

Download or read book Guidelines for Improving the Effectiveness of Boards of Directors of Nonprofit Organizations written by Vic Murray and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2014-12-11 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The purpose of this book is to help boards of directors of nonprofit organizations improve their performance after completing the online board self-assessment tool found at www.boardcheckup.com. However, it can also be used as a stand-alone resource for any board seeking to enhance its effectiveness in that it also contains the diagnostic questions on which the online tool is based."--Open Textbook Library.

Download or read book Board Member Orientation written by Michael E. Batts and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2011-02-03 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Finally! Board member orientation truly simplified. Serving on a nonprofit board can be an incredibly rewarding experience for the properly prepared board member. This book is for the generous and busy people who agree to give of their time and talents by serving on nonprofit boards. Nonprofit boards often fail to do a good job of board member orientation for a variety of reasons. It takes a significant amount of time and effort to plan and conduct quality board member orientation programs, and every time a new board member arrives, it's time to do it again! Because of the challenges associated with providing quality board member orientation, many nonprofit organizations do not do it at all, leaving their board members to wing it. This book provides help and support to the truly great men and women serving on nonprofit boards whose service makes a positive difference in the lives of countless people every day. This book is a concise and appropriately comprehensive guide to nonprofit board service designed especially for new board members. It is a quick read, (about one hour), yet it addresses with accuracy the most significant elements of board service, such as mission, responsibility, duty, risk, liability, and board meeting dynamics. Hooey Alerts! Watch for Hooey Alerts! where the author identifies and dispels common myths and legends about nonprofit board service. There are many sources of false or misleading information about the nonprofit board service environment. A perfect example is the often vaguely-worded and intimidating assertion or implication that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed by Congress in 2002 applies to nonprofit organizations in a manner similar to how it applies to publicly-traded companies. (It does not.) Reviews "This book is the perfect guide for every nonprofit board member! Concise, highly informative, and loaded with nuggets of wisdom, it's a must read that will take board members to the next level of successful board governance." -- J. Todd Chasteen, General Counsel, Samaritan's Purse "Mike Batts has put his quarter century of advising and serving on nonprofit boards to good use in this accurate and easy-to-read book. In addition to describing major principles of nonprofit law and governance, the book provides helpful questions to guide board members in understanding the practical applications of the concepts discussed. While geared primarily toward helping new board members get up to speed quickly, it should also help veteran board members discharge their stewardship roles wisely and efficiently." -- Chuck Hartman, Associate Professor of Business Law and Accounting, Cedarville University "This book, Board Member Orientation, is exactly what a busy volunteer board member needs. The board member's duties are presented in a clear and concise manner from the perspective of someone who has been around many boards. With a focus on those issues that are most common and/or most important, it is perfect for board member orientation and for quick reference reminders for the experienced board member." -- Doug Starcher, Partner, Broad & Cassel "This book provides clear, no-nonsense guidance on the basic issues for new nonprofit board members. Using this book for board member orientation will ensure your organization has communicated fundamental governance issues and will assist the board in determining risk management strategies." -- Dan Busby, President, ECFA *********************************** The Simple Board Member Orientation Process Using This Book: 1.Your board members read Chapters 1-9 of the book, which will provide them with insights regarding the key elements of nonprofit board service. 2.You provide the board members with copies of the documents described in Chapter 10 related to your organization. 3.You meet with your board members to discuss the unique attributes of your organization following the discussion questions provided in Chapter 10. Done!

Download or read book Great Boards for Small Groups written by Andy Robinson and published by Emerson & Church, Publishers. This book was released on 2006 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Yours is a good board, but you want it to be better.-You want clearly defined objectives ?-Meetings with more focus ? -Broader participation in fundraising ?-And more follow-through between meetings.You want these and a dozen other tangibles and intangibles that will propel your board from good to great.Say hello to your guide, Andy Robinson, who has a real knack for offering ?forehead-slapping? solutions ? ?Of course! Why haven?t we been doing this??Take what he says about written agreements among board members. ?Any meaningful job description must be reciprocal: it defines what is expected of you, but also what you can expect in return.? Example: ?I accept fiduciary responsibility for the organization and will oversee its financial health and integrity. By the same token, I expect timely, accurate, and complete financial statements to be distributed at least quarterly, one week in advance of the relevant board meeting.?In other words, the board knows what to expect; the staff knows what to do. Each is accountable.Simple, right? So why does the 10-item sample agreement Robinson provides seem so revolutionary? Perhaps because so few people have tried an agreement like this.Then there?s what the author calls the ?Fundraising Menu.? Here, board members are asked to generate a list of all the ways (direct and indirect) they could assist in fundraising. The list is prioritized and then used to help each trustee prepare a personalized fundraising agreement that meets his or her specific needs, interests, and limitations.Again, simple, but it?s the closest thing you?ll find to guaranteeing a board?s commitment to raising money.Toward the end of his book, in a number of ?How to Fix It? chapters, Robinson homes in on specific problems, such as poorly attended meetings, spotty follow-through on commitments, inactive board members, narrow consensus, conflicts of interest, weak agendas, and much more. And Robinson doesn?t offer up easy nostrums. Quite the opposite. Over the past 20 years, as a board member, a volunteer, and a consultant, he?s put into practice what he preaches and stands unshakably behind his fog-burning advice. Great Boards for Small Groups contains 31 brief chapters. In fact the whole book can be read in an hour. Funny thing, though, its impact on those who heed its advice will last for years.

Download or read book Field Guide to Developing Operating and Restoring Your Nonprofit Board written by Carter McNamara and published by Authenticity Consulting. This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: