An Executive Director Search that Went Wrong

Categories: Board Member Roles · Good Board Practices · Hiring ED or CEO · Succession PlanningTags: · · · · · · · · · · · · · 3 Comments

This post is my fourth in a series about hiring a new CEO or Executive Director. The first post talks about a successful process. The second post addresses how the outgoing ED should be involved. The third post talks about the need for diversity on the search committee to avoid unexpected bias. In this post, the board member reflects on racial and gender bias and a flawed process where a close decision was rushed without examining objections to the candidate. Strategies for Getting the Right Person for Your Organization By a Dedicated Board Member, Somewhere in USA These events happened… Read more

Potential Pitfalls: Role of Outgoing CEO in Hiring Replacement

Categories: Good Board Practices · Hiring ED or CEO · Succession PlanningTags: · · · · · · · · · · 3 Comments

In my last post, I started a series on the most important job for a nonprofit board: hiring an Executive Director or CEO. I shared a story about a rigorous search process that resulted in a great CEO for the organization. Several years later, board members were still happy with their choice and the individual I interviewed outlined what was done well – and some changes that could be made in the future. In this second part of the series, I recount three stories – from one individual – which examine if and how an outgoing CEO should be involved… Read more

Define Roles and Engage Board Members

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO RolesTags: · · · · · · 2 Comments

I was told about a board where the ED worked very hard for months on a strategic planning document. The ED worked with staff and got input from community partners. Board members were not part of the process. When the ED brought the final plan to the board, they tore it apart. I share this story often. People join boards because they are passionate about the mission and want to add value to the organization. Organizations spend a lot of effort identifying board members with great skills such as finance, communications, marketing, and fund raising. And then there is this… Read more

How Board Members Can Influence Decisions. Illustration by Janet Levinger.

Build Trust and Focus on Values

Categories: Board Member RolesTags: · · · · · 2 Comments

As a board member, it is important to understand your role versus the role of the staff and the executive director. Every board struggles to find the right balance. Boards have fiduciary responsibility; they are legally responsible for the organization. They determine the vision and mission of the organization, they select and manage the executive director or CEO, they make sure the organization has adequate resources, and they set key strategies and policies. Board members should not be making daily decisions about programs or communications. That said, an organization often asks an individual to join their board because they have… Read more

Start Executive Sessions and Board Training Before You Need Them. Illustration by Janet Levinger.

Start Executive Sessions and Board Training Before You Need Them

Categories: Board Member Roles · Executive Session · Good Board PracticesTags: · · · · · · · · 1 Comment

This blog touches on two important topics: executive sessions and board confidentiality. When I have chaired boards, I instituted executive sessions at every board meeting. Often the executive session is at the end of the meeting and gets cut short or cut completely. If this happens occasionally, that’s okay. But prioritize leaving enough time for thoughtful conversation at most board meetings. I structure executive sessions in two parts: The first part includes the CEO but not the rest of the staff. During this part, the CEO can communicate about staffing, financials, legal issues, plans not ready to be announced, or… Read more