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

APN Consulting 2014

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

APN Consulting 2014

• 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

amy.nisenson@gmail.com

Thanks for attending…

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Lee Householder’s contact info

Lee Householder, CEO

(804) 233-2827

Lee.Householder@projecthomes.org

Thanks for attending…

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Julie S. Bilodeau’s contact info

Julie S. Bilodeau, Executive Director

(804) 422-2600, ext. 114

jbilodeau@crossoverministry.org