“To make the greatest impact on society requires first and foremost a great organization.” – Jim Collins
Consider this view of nonprofit Board members:
- Necessary evil (for legal reasons)
- Impediment to progress
- Source of busy work for staff
- Meddlesome micromanagers
- Power mongers
As opposed to this one:
- Stewards of public trust
- Guardians of the mission
- Ambassadors for the organization
- Strategic partners with staff
- Experienced civic leaders
If you’re on the Board of a nonprofit, I’m sure you’d rather be viewed the second way. So what can you do to make your Board great? What skills and behaviors can you bring to the Board table to ensure that your organization’s beneficiaries are being served by the best Directors possible?
An effective nonprofit Board fulfills a promise to the community it supports – a promise of responsibility that inspires confidence in the organization. Yes, Board members must contribute financial resources to help pay the bills, but the support is also a vital vote of confidence in the group’s mission and in its commitment to its constituents. Your clients deserve nothing less than strong leadership.
You’ll know you’re on the right track if you and your fellow Directors adhere to these principles in support of your mission:
- Engage in honest discussion, strategic thinking and deliberate action in partnership with the organization’s staff
- Embrace accountability
- Regularly and formally assess your own performance
- Commit to informed, intelligent and engaged service
- Provide generous support and see that the organization is generously supported by others
- Operate with complete transparency
If this reminds you of your boardroom, your organization is in good hands. Actually, make that great hands.