Most boards have staggered terms to prevent the entire board from turning over at the same time. Having staggered terms also prevents groups of board members from becoming too powerful and keeps decision-making democratic. Recruiting board members should be a continual process so that there is always a quality pool of board applicants. Board members…
This was originally posted on the Wharton Entrepreneurship Blog which you can read here. So, I admit it. I’ve attended a board meeting without feeling fully prepared. And not just once. I’ve done it many times when serving in many different roles: as a board member, as an entrepreneur and executive responsible for managing my own…
In decades past, boards could rely solely on management to oversee and manage risk. The 2008 financial crisis, also known as the global financial crisis, was considered to be the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Harsh economic times hit boards of directors squarely, as they came face to face with complex legal issues…
The executive director’s primary responsibilities are to direct the organization’s financial health and to drive overall progress and success. The role of the executive director is integral towards fulfilling the mission of the organization. The board of directors sets the standards that outline the responsibilities and expectations of the executive director and the board measures…
You have to hand it to Goldilocks. In addition to fearlessly entering ferocious bears’ dens, this young lady knew precisely what she liked. When it came to bowls of porridge (neither too hot, nor cold), easy-chairs (neither too hard, nor soft), and preferences in bedding (neither too high, nor low), Goldilocks was unwavering in what…
Robert’s Rules, also known as parliamentary procedure, outlines the various ways that nominees may be presented to the board. Board members are typically nominated by a nominating committee, but they can also be nominated by ballot, or from the floor. Nominations may also be taken by mail or by petition, though these methods are less…
The definition of protocol is “an official procedure or system of rules that govern affairs of states or diplomatic occasions.” To more narrowly define board meeting protocol, look to the powers of the board of directors. A board meeting should not be considered the board’s agenda or the board’s meeting. Board members are the work…
The executive director role is uniquely different from members of the board, other managers, and employees, yet this role is connected with all of them. In forming a list of interview questions, it helps to think about the duties that an executive director is expected to perform and how that role relates to, and interacts…
Our Guiding Principle Series draws to a close with a focus on Mobility. Over the past few months, we’ve looked at how these principles drive feature development and elevate the performance of boards. This month, we close the series by focusing on mobility, a keystone of our guiding principles.
When the executive director of a sizeable nonprofit organization mentioned his board chair had stopped speaking to him, I was speechless. For the third time in as many years, I had heard the same confession from a nonprofit executive and was reminded how personal board leadership is. And how precarious the board chair/chief executive relationship…
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