working with boards to strengthen an organization & community amy nisenson, consultant and...
TRANSCRIPT
WORKING WITH BOARDS TO STRENGTHEN AN
ORGANIZATION & COMMUNITY
AMY NISENSON, CONSULTANT AND
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE MARY MORTON PARSONS FOUNDATION
2014 VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE CONFERENCESEPTEMBER 11, 2014
APN Consulting 2014
Session Objectives
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• To gain a clearer understanding of roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards and board service
• To understand the role and responsibilities of individual Board members
• To hear from two nonprofit leaders about how their board members help their organizations achieve their missions
Quote on boards…
APN Consulting 2014
• ““A good board is a victory, A good board is a victory, not a gift.not a gift.””
~ Cyril O. Houle
Governing Boards
What does a High Functioning Board Look Like?
• Organizational mission is central at every board meeting
• There is high board member participation• There is no room for board member’s personal
preferences with regard to decision making• The Board speaks with one voice• Board oversees; doesn’t micromanage
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What does a High Functioning Board Look Like?
• Board ensures that all laws are respected• Board ensures that all laws (state/federal) are
respected• Board continually assesses its own performance
(individually and as a group)• Board has opportunity for education and training• Board has a 100% personal contribution rate
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Overview: Roles and Responsibilities of…
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The Board• Setting
Organizational Direction
• Ensuring Necessary Resources
• Providing Oversight
Individual Board Members
• Duty of care • Duty of loyalty• Duty of obedience• Ambassadors for the
Organization• Volunteers for the
Organization
Board Role 1: Set Organizational Direction
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• Developing and maintaining a focus on mission
• Philosophical and strategic (long-term) planning
• Not necessarily tactical (annual) planning
Board Role 2: Ensure Resources
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• Identify resources needed
• Establish policies for how these resources will be acquired
• Determine how board members will participate in resource development
Board Role 2: Ensure Human Resources
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• Selection of Chief Executive
• Support of Chief Executive
• Evaluating Chief Executive
Board Role 2: Ensure Resources with a Positive
Public Image
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• Accurate image and positive reputation will influence organizational resources
• Success depends on external relationships
• Board needs to ascertain that stakeholders are kept informed
Board Role 3: Provide Oversight
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• Program
• Financial
• Risk management
• Legal and moral oversight
• Evaluation of Chief Executive
Responsibilities of Individual Board Members
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• Actively Participate
• Be Informed
• Promote the Organization
• Safeguard Ethics and Values
Three “Hats” Board Members Wear
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• Legal Hat - Duty of Care - Duty of Loyalty- Duty of Obedience
• Ambassador Hat • Volunteer Hat
The Board Building Cycle
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Identify
Cultivate
Recruit
Orient
Involve
Educate
Evaluate
Rotate
Celebrate!
Step 1: IDENTIFY Board Needs
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• Skills, knowledge, perspectives, and connections for strategic planning
• Board needs assessment• Identify sources of board members with the desired
characteristics
Step 2: CULTIVATE Potential Leaders
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• Ask current board members, senior staff, and others to suggest potential candidates with needed characteristics
• Invite these candidates to connect with the organization
• Get them interested in your organization, and keep them informed
Step 3: RECRUIT Prospects
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• Describe why a prospective board member is wanted and needed
• Explain expectations and responsibilities and don’t minimize requirements
• Invite questions, elicit their interest, and find out of if
they would be prepared to serve
• Recruit a diverse board
Step 4: ORIENT New Members
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To the board: • Committee structure
• Board member responsibilities
• List of board members and key staff
• Bylaws
• Recent minutes
To the organization:• History
• Programs
• Pressing issues
• Finances
• Facilities
• Structure (organization chart)
Step 5: INVOLVE
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• Discover board member interests and availability
• Involve them in committees or task forces
• Assign them a board “buddy”
• Solicit feedback
• Hold everyone accountable
• Express appreciation
Step 6: EDUCATE
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• Provide information on mission and services
• Explore issues facing the organization
• Hold retreats and encourage board development activities by sending board members to seminars and workshops
• Don’t hide difficulties
Step 7: EVALUATE Board
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• Evaluate the board as a whole, as well as individual board members - Engage the board in assessing its own
performance- Encourage individual self-assessment
• Examine how the board and chief executive work as a team
Step 8: ROTATE Board Members
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• Establish term limits (and enforce them!)
• Do not automatically re-elect; consider the board’s needs and the member’s performance
• Explore the advisability of resigning with members who are not active
• Develop new leadership
Step 9: CELEBRATE!
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• Recognize victories and progress – even small ones• Celebrate accomplishments• Appreciate individual contributions – to the board, the
organization, and the community• Make room for humor and a good laugh
How do you ensure a great board?
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• Find the right people• Select persons to serve as chair who are good
listeners/leaders/learners• Put rules and performance expectations in place• Monitor, question, evaluate, and act ALWAYS in the
best interest of the organization
Let’s Hear from 2 organizations that exemplify great boards…
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26
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Primary Care
Dental Care
Vision Care
HIV diagnosis & Treatment
Community Pharmacy
Women’s Health/OB
Mental Health Counseling
Social Work Services
Sub-Specialties
Health Education
Providing compassionate care to people in need since 1983.
Questions ….
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Thanks for attending…
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Amy’s contact info---
Amy Nisenson
(804) 307-4653
Thanks for attending…
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Lee Householder’s contact info
Lee Householder, CEO
(804) 233-2827
Thanks for attending…
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Julie S. Bilodeau’s contact info
Julie S. Bilodeau, Executive Director
(804) 422-2600, ext. 114