A nonprofit board oversees the organization’s fiduciary duties and oversees its future sustainability. They ensure that your non-profit has the funds needed to accomplish its goals and that it’s managed legally and ethically, through governance and financial management policies. They also examine the executive director’s performance along with compensation and other critical management issues.
Nonprofit boards usually include people with connections to donors and other influential community members and who are committed to your cause and its goals. It is also important to find those who are meticulous, so that they can understand the bigger picture and how the pieces of the puzzle fit together, as well as what is required in each department and how it impacts the overall objective.
Board members should demonstrate an intense commitment to the mission of the nonprofit and be prepared to dedicate significant time and effort to meeting obligations. Additionally, they should be able to clearly articulate the value they bring as a trustee and the consequences of their decisions. They should not be at risk of to gossip or rumor. They should not attempt to gain favor among other trustees or employees by playing favoritism.
It is vital that the new board members understand their core obligations. Many organizations conduct training sessions to instruct their new trustees on their fiduciary and legal responsibilities along with other governance practices. They can be led by the executive director or by fellow board members.