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When Boards Settle: A Hard Lesson in Executive Director Transitions

Categories: Best Nonprofit Practices · Board Member Roles · Hiring ED or CEOTags: · · · · · Leave a comment

I spoke to a board member who served on the search committee for a new Executive Director. When their favored candidate turned them down, they felt a lot of pressure. As a result, they settled for a candidate they had rejected – who unfortunately did not last long. This board member reflects on what could have been done differently.   A Great Transition—Until It Wasn’t As told by a nonprofit board member somewhere in the US I was a board member at an education-oriented nonprofit where, honestly, things were going well. We had a terrific Executive Director. She was strong,… Read more

Should You Shutter Your Organization?

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Good Board Practices · LeadershipTags: · Leave a comment

I spoke with an individual who spent decades doing innovative work in the nonprofit sector. They shared three stories – each about an organization that closed its doors. Each experience brought new insights. They noted that sometimes the lessons were tough, but all shed light on how boards and staff interact, who really holds power, and what it means to end things well. How an Organization Is Closed Provides Insight into Power As told by a nonprofit leader somewhere in the US. I’ve had an unusual career in that I’ve been part of three nonprofits that have closed down –… Read more

Give a Board Seat for a Volunteer?

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Good Board PracticesTags: · · · Leave a comment

In this post, I share a story from a frustrated board chair. One board member consistently “ghosts” the organization. He does not show up. He does not respond to communications. The chair discovered that the CEO is working with this unreliable board member as a volunteer advisor for some programmatic work, and the CEO does not want to risk that relationship. Two questions arise: How do you create a board culture of engagement and commitment?  And should an organization save a board seat for someone who volunteers on the programmatic side but is not really interested in board responsibilities? Fix… Read more

Hosting a Fundraiser? Share the Guest List

Categories: Best Nonprofit Practices · Fundraising · Good Board Practices · Nonprofit FundingTags: · · 1 Comment

A board chair shared two experiences around fundraising where unclear expectations led to frustration and lost connections for the organization. Because of these incidents, she asserts that while board members have a vital role to play in fundraising, the organization should own the relationships. And she maintains that if the host of an event will not share the guest list and contact information, it is not worth having the event. Boards Connect; Staff Own Relationships As told by a Board Chair somewhere in the U.S. I’ve been on a lot of boards over the years. And one thing I’ve learned… Read more

Be Clear About Roles, But Ask Questions and Respond Respectfully

Categories: Best Nonprofit Practices · Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Good Board PracticesTags: · · · · Leave a comment

In this post, an experienced board member and ED reflects on a situation he encountered on his very first board as a young man. Back then, he admired the way a strong ED drew a firm line between board responsibilities and management responsibilities. That clarity made an impression. But with the benefit of experience—and a little wisdom that comes with age—he now recognizes the value of a gentler approach, both in the way board members ask questions and in the way a nonprofit leader responds. Making Demands Evokes Defensive Responses As told by a Board Member and ED somewhere in… Read more