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I have been an executive director who has worked with more than twenty different boards. I count a board as being different from one year to the next even if the members remain the same but at least one director has changed office because, that alone, can significantly alter the group’s dynamics. In addition, I have been a director on a number of community boards which has provided me with an alternative perspective and, more importantly, a better viewpoint on how to perform as an executive director.
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The Board’s View is External
and Long Term
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It shall be guided by the mission.
It shall focus on governance, not operations.
It shall follow the direction of the
strategic plan and amend it, as needed.
It shall be engaged in fund-raising
and development.
It shall participate in all policy
and advocacy initiatives.
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The Board’s Functions
are Strategic and Defined
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The President is the
external representative along with the Executive Director.
The Vice President supports
the President and Executive Director on operational issues.
The Executive Committee and one
or two other “rising stars” make up a strong core group.
Directors understand financial
statements and are involved with budgeting and audits.
Directors are representative of
the membership and are not homogeneous.
Board member nominee recruitment is guided
by skill sets and key personnel needed.
The board has an organized and
detailed orientation for new directors.
The board includes professional development
on its agenda for board meetings.
The board conducts an annual self-assessment
and acts on items identified needing improvement.
Directors do not micromanage
the executive director.
Directors have a succession plan
for hiring a new executive director.
Directors act as hosts,
rather than simply attendees, at all organization-sponsored functions.
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The Board has Internal
Mechanisms to Structure its Governance
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Directors must serve at least one
term prior to becoming an officer.
Directors must serve at least one
term as an officer before becoming President.
Officers serve one year terms with the
ability to run for re-election for that office one time.
Directors serve three year terms;
1/3 of the board rotates off each year.
The optimum size of the board is 12-15
directors.
The Immediate Past President is
ex officio and helps with transition issues for one year.
The Executive Director is an
ex officio member of the board.
An Emeritus Board of past presidents
helps on a per project basis at the request of the President.
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These observations are not one size fits all. The general
principles and recommendations need to vary by the scope of each organization.
For example: Is it local, regional or national? Is it a start-up or mature
nonprofit? Is it a community service provider or a professional association?
Yet, these are the types of considerations which the board and executive
director must consider and work through to create a fine-tuned leadership.
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Categories: Nonprofits, Associations, Board of Directors
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