At some point in planning for executive succession, a nonprofit board will ask, “what makes a good executive director?” Vision, leadership, passion, and patience are common answers offered by board members and executive directors themselves. The most unusual (and perhaps telling) answer, though, is one that will (but shouldn’t) surprise: the board.
Sometimes the simplest question unlocks the greatest complexity. During a recent discussion about strategic leadership, a board member of a sizeable nonprofit organization asked, “How do we get there?” Knowing the board had completed a comprehensive strategic planning process, I knew he wasn’t referring to a road map. Over the past 18 months, the board…
Board leadership is a dance. Slow, fast, graceful, awkward – an activity that can invigorate, tone, and occasionally damage the body. The “body,” in this case, is the organization – whether nonprofit or corporate – and the dance can’t be sat out. But how to master the steps? Start by not stepping on another’s toes.…
Facebook is full of references to its founder’s historic philanthropic commitment of $46B. No matter the unusual structure of the pledge, it highlights the corporate sector’s growing interest in supporting the nonprofit community. For many companies, though, there’s more to the story than donating dollars — beyond the big business bucks, companies are increasing activities…
Year-end brings a welcome, almost obligatory opportunity for reflection. Before we can anticipate coming trends and determine which to follow – and how – we need to assess where we are. In a moment of seasonal contemplation, I asked some colleagues about the trends they’re seeing in working with boards. On the corporate side, board…
Under a deluge of dreary news about Syrian refugees, mass shootings, and state budget crises, it’s hard to keep spirits bright this season. Division in the US over race relations, gun control, mental health services, and tax structure shows everywhere…
The nonprofit sector is the final frontier, at least in the midst of a state budget impasse. A local news story on public radio recently explained why the protracted budget crisis in Pennsylvania has elicited little outcry relative to its momentous impact on nonprofits. Lawmakers and state employees continue to get paid, so only the…
At our third annual users’ conference last week, we heard much discussion about board culture, numerous tips for engaging board members, and lots of encouraging feedback about our upgraded platform. We also heard many questions about functionality and implementation, including…
Effective board development requires board involvement, as the “care and feeding” of the board is an ongoing board responsibility. That said, the staff typically plays an essential role, too, provided they are empowered — surprisingly, there is common debate about…
The numbers don’t add up. According to CohnReznick’s 2015 Not-For-Profit Governance Survey, 81% of respondents ranked cyber security as a leading cause of concern among nonprofit leaders, yet only 11% of boards have created risk management or IT committees. Perhaps…
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