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Board Management of Nonprofit Organizations
Managing a nonprofit organization is usually a job that’s a volunteer opportunity for people with a deep commitment to the cause. While the work can be rewarding but it’s not always straightforward. Board management is one of the most challenging aspects of the job. Board members are often distracted by the larger picture of their duties, and they can forget the specifics needed to run the nonprofit smoothly. This can be manifested in large ways, like the decision to hire an Executive Director, or in smaller ones, like weighing in on the pricing for a service that is featured.
Fortunately, there are many tools available to assist board members in managing their responsibilities effectively. According to the guideline for 2015 Leading with Intent, some of the most frequently-asked board responsibilities include fundraising, financial oversight and advocacy for community-building. It is important that each member of the board can effectively perform these tasks.
Boards can be organized with diverse committees that can help them organize their tasks and improve overall performance. A committee for fundraising events, for example could be responsible for event planning and management of the donor database. Another committee could be charged with recruiting new members as well as orienting new members and conducting evaluations of performance for the board in general. A third committee could focus on the internal operations of the board and processes like the development of policies, and another could be focused on governance.
Whatever the structure of the board, it should be well-staffed and equipped with the tools needed to streamline the board’s responsibilities and promote open communication and transparency. For instance, board software can streamline meeting logistics and help members to stay on top of their responsibilities, allowing them to cut down on time during board meetings, with central agendas, email notification, and more.