Qualities of a“Dynamic

Board”Presenters: Candace Plants, Kathy McGoldrick, Don Jones

Types of Boards and Opportunities for Volunteerism• Not-for-Profit• For Profit• Citizens Task Force• Steering Committees• Advisory Boards• Community Groups• Government• School Boards• Etc.

How For-Profits Differ From

Not-For-ProfitsFor-Profits

Owned by stockholders Generate money for the

owners Success is making

sizeable profit Board members are

usually paid Members can make very

sizeable income

Not-For-Profits Owned by the public Serve the public Success is meeting needs

of the public Board members are

usually unpaid volunteers Members should make

reasonable, not excessive income

How For-Profits Differ From

Not-For-ProfitsFor-Profits Money earned over and above

that is kept as profit and distributed to owners

Chief Executive Officer is often on the Board of Directors, sometimes as President

Usually not exempt from paying federal, state/provincial, and local taxes

Money invested in the for-profit usually cannot be deducted from the investor’s personal tax liability

Not-For-Profits Money earned over and above

should be spent soon on meeting the public needs

Conventional wisdom suggests that the Chief Executive Officer should not be on the Board

Usually exempt from paying federal, state/provincial, and local taxes

Money donated to the nonprofit can be deducted from the donor’s personal tax liability

Ten Roles and Responsibilities

• Determine the Organization’s Mission Purposes

• Select the Chief Executive• Support the Chief Executive and

Assess His or Her Performance• Ensure Effective Organizational

Planning• Ensure Adequate Resources• Manage Resources Effectively

Ten Roles and Responsibilities

• Determine, Monitor, and Strengthen the Organization’s Programs and Services

• Enhance the Organization’s Public Standing

• Ensure Legal and Ethical Integrity and Maintain Accountability

• Recruit and Orient New Board Members and Assess Board Performance

As an agency director, what are you looking for from your

board members• Become knowledgeable about the

organization• Be passionate about organization’s mission• Contribute ideas and experience• Maintain integrity and help achieve goals• Be willing to challenge the status quo• Do not be afraid to ask stupid questions• Willingness to learn• Cross-section of personalities and talents

How do you become involved with a board that fits with your values and schedule?

• Personal Strengths and contributing• Interests, importance, and personal

beliefs• Time, frequency, and duration of

meetings• Volunteer to organization prior to joining

the board• Networking with other contemporaries to

identity opportunities

Think about:

How do boards and agency leaders work together to create a vibrant and dynamic board experience?

• Expect Diversity - a variety of opinions and talent

• Generate enthusiasm around a common goal

• Actively engage in decision making processes

• Carry out action steps towards goals• Agree to disagree• Share facilitation roles as individual

experiences allow

How can board members contribute in healthy and meaningful ways?• Match task with talents• Utilize quality instructional tools and

training• Mentor new board members• Show board members that they are

valued• Use personal and professional position to

gain support for organization (donations, volunteers, etc.)

• Board members should also personally support the organization

Some Final Thoughts• To everything there is a season. There is

a time to join and a time to go.• Keep our noses in and our fingers out .• Have I told you lately that “ I Love

You!”.• The art of being disagreeable.• Know what your organization does and

whom it serves.• Never miss an opportunity to say

something good about your organization.

• Make your organization a top priority.• Practice due diligence.• Go beyond compliance. Do the right

thing• The mark of a good leader is knowing

when to follow.

Final Thought

Humility, a sense of humor, and not taking yourself too seriously have their places in

the boardroom

Questions?

Thoughts?

Applause!!