Nonprofit boards must adopt solid governance and financial management policies, and maintain a close relationship with the executive director to ensure the organisation is running efficiently and stay focused on the mission. In the midst of day-to-day chaos and fundraising, it is easy for nonprofit boards to lose focus on their mission and become distracted by tactical issues.
Certain elements can make a non-profit board more effective, and it begins with an effective recruitment and nominating process. Candidates who want to join should actively look for candidates who have the right mix of professional and technical skills. They should also establish specific expectations and conduct an extensive selection process in order to narrow the pool of qualified applicants.
To prevent myopia and groupthink to avoid myopia and groupthink, it is crucial that the nominating panel seeks diversity of race, gender and nonprofit governance structure wealth. It should also be diverse in regards to work style, political ideology, and profession. Inclusion of people directly affected by the societal issue that an organization is seeking to solve, for example having someone who was homeless serving on the board of a shelter for the homeless, can improve the performance of a board.
Meetings are critical times for a nonprofit board to collaborate and discuss the organization’s strategies. But when you see members of the board checking their phones, texting friends, or drawing in the middle of a meeting, it can be a source of frustration for those who are. The right tools can be used to get members engaged, lessen stress, and boost performance.