Nonprofit Volunteer Board of Directors

One of the unique aspects of nonprofit organizations is that they are governed by volunteer boards of directors or trustees. Along with having a working relationship with administrators, it is important to the effective operation of a nonprofit organization for the board members to be diverse, ethical, and possess the skills necessary to carry out the responsibilities of nonprofit boards listed on page 114 of your textbook.

What skills would you look for when creating a board of directors? Why?
What specific things would you look for when creating a diverse board of directors? Why?
Why is it important for the Board of Directors to represent the populations that the organization represents?
How would you ensure that the board represents the organization and the populations it serves?

BOOK-

Developing Nonprofit and Human Service Leaders: Essential Knowledge and Skills

Watson, Larry D. (Dan); Hoefer, Richard (Rick) A. (Alan)

Requirements: 350 words

RESPONSIBILITIES OF NONPROFIT BOARDS-pg114

In Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards, Richard T. Ingram (2009) outlines the 10 major responsibilities of nonprofit boards of directors.

1. Determine the organization’s mission and purpose. It is the board’s responsibility to create and review a Statement of Mission and Purpose that articulates the organization’s goals, means, and primary constituents served.

2. Select the chief executive. Boards must reach consensus on the chief executive’s responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.

3. Provide proper financial oversight. The board must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.

4. Ensure adequate resources. One of the board’s foremost responsibilities is to provide adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.

5. Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability. The board is ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.

6. Ensure effective organizational planning. Boards must actively participate in an overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the plan’s goals.

7. Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance. All boards have a responsibility to articulate prerequisites for candidates, orient new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate its own performance.

8. Enhance the organization’s public standing. The board should clearly articulate the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community.

9. Determine, monitor, and strengthen the organization’s programs and services. The board’s responsibility is to determine which programs are consistent with the organization’s mission and to monitor their effectiveness.

10. Support the chief executive and assess his or her performance. The board should ensure that the chief executive has the moral and professional support he or she needs to further the goals of the organization. (p. 9)

Solution preview for the order on Nonprofit Volunteer Board of Directors

APA

758 words