Nine Considerations For A Healthy Nonprofit Board

A Nonprofit Board is charged with authorizing key paid positions, fiscal responsibility, strategic planning and organizational visibility. It is baffling that new drivers must study for a permit and take a driving test, but there is no requirement to prepare Americans for marriage or parenting, or Board members to oversee a nonprofit organization that may impact the lives of hundreds, even thousands of people. In Oregon there are three types of nonprofit. There are nonprofits that benefit the public, those that serve their own membership only, and religious nonprofits. Each has different challenges and obligations.This post will focus primarily on nonprofits that benefit the public.

There are good Boards, and troubled Boards. Based on observation and experience, here are our recommendations for nine considerations for building a healthy Nonprofit Board.

Relational and Technical                Commitment and Flexibility             Accountability
Industry & Sector Balance                 Passion & Prior NP Experience          Ability To Manage Conflict
Technical Skills                                  Obtain Financial Buy In                       Capabilities & Training
Connections & Resourcefulness         Commitment As A Working Board      Evaluation & Improvement

This are key aspects of one element in a course we are developing on Nonprofits.

Resource Sharing. Part 1

Resource sharing agreements allow businesses or organizations to share personnel to meet a surge. They are typically used in disaster situations, however concepts can be drawn and applied to other situations.  Examples include parking lot attendants, safety personnel, public information officers, kitchen help, a clean-up crew, a graphic artist, an auctioneer or any other applicable resource. A catering business may have a huge order and insufficient staff. This could cause the loss of a large agreement. Instead of losing to another company, set up a resource sharing agreement to call up staff from another catering business to meet the immediate need. The agreement would require the requesting organization to compensate the sending organization for wages and benefits, plus an agreed amount for administrative cost. This same concept may be applied to a floral shop, clinic, accounting firm or any other non-technical company or nonprofit. Churches and other nonprofits may need extra staff to register guests for an event, welcome or help seat guests. Many churches have an abundance and rotate musicians or volunteers where as others may be able to offer a  guest speaker. The second post in this series will address logistics sharing agreements.