Board Member Orientation

Board Member Orientation

Author: Michael E. Batts

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2011-02-03

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781456304911

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Finally! Board member orientation truly simplified. Serving on a nonprofit board can be an incredibly rewarding experience for the properly prepared board member. This book is for the generous and busy people who agree to give of their time and talents by serving on nonprofit boards. Nonprofit boards often fail to do a good job of board member orientation for a variety of reasons. It takes a significant amount of time and effort to plan and conduct quality board member orientation programs, and every time a new board member arrives, it's time to do it again! Because of the challenges associated with providing quality board member orientation, many nonprofit organizations do not do it at all, leaving their board members to wing it. This book provides help and support to the truly great men and women serving on nonprofit boards whose service makes a positive difference in the lives of countless people every day. This book is a concise and appropriately comprehensive guide to nonprofit board service designed especially for new board members. It is a quick read, (about one hour), yet it addresses with accuracy the most significant elements of board service, such as mission, responsibility, duty, risk, liability, and board meeting dynamics. Hooey Alerts! Watch for Hooey Alerts! where the author identifies and dispels common myths and legends about nonprofit board service. There are many sources of false or misleading information about the nonprofit board service environment. A perfect example is the often vaguely-worded and intimidating assertion or implication that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed by Congress in 2002 applies to nonprofit organizations in a manner similar to how it applies to publicly-traded companies. (It does not.) Reviews "This book is the perfect guide for every nonprofit board member! Concise, highly informative, and loaded with nuggets of wisdom, it's a must read that will take board members to the next level of successful board governance." -- J. Todd Chasteen, General Counsel, Samaritan's Purse "Mike Batts has put his quarter century of advising and serving on nonprofit boards to good use in this accurate and easy-to-read book. In addition to describing major principles of nonprofit law and governance, the book provides helpful questions to guide board members in understanding the practical applications of the concepts discussed. While geared primarily toward helping new board members get up to speed quickly, it should also help veteran board members discharge their stewardship roles wisely and efficiently." -- Chuck Hartman, Associate Professor of Business Law and Accounting, Cedarville University "This book, Board Member Orientation, is exactly what a busy volunteer board member needs. The board member's duties are presented in a clear and concise manner from the perspective of someone who has been around many boards. With a focus on those issues that are most common and/or most important, it is perfect for board member orientation and for quick reference reminders for the experienced board member." -- Doug Starcher, Partner, Broad & Cassel "This book provides clear, no-nonsense guidance on the basic issues for new nonprofit board members. Using this book for board member orientation will ensure your organization has communicated fundamental governance issues and will assist the board in determining risk management strategies." -- Dan Busby, President, ECFA *********************************** The Simple Board Member Orientation Process Using This Book: 1.Your board members read Chapters 1-9 of the book, which will provide them with insights regarding the key elements of nonprofit board service. 2.You provide the board members with copies of the documents described in Chapter 10 related to your organization. 3.You meet with your board members to discuss the unique attributes of your organization following the discussion questions provided in Chapter 10. Done!


Joan Garry's Guide to Nonprofit Leadership

Joan Garry's Guide to Nonprofit Leadership

Author: Joan Garry

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2017-03-06

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 1119293065

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Nonprofit leadership is messy Nonprofits leaders are optimistic by nature. They believe with time, energy, smarts, strategy and sheer will, they can change the world. But as staff or board leader, you know nonprofits present unique challenges. Too many cooks, not enough money, an abundance of passion. It’s enough to make you feel overwhelmed and alone. The people you help need you to be successful. But there are so many obstacles: a micromanaging board that doesn’t understand its true role; insufficient fundraising and donors who make unreasonable demands; unclear and inconsistent messaging and marketing; a leader who’s a star in her sector but a difficult boss… And yet, many nonprofits do thrive. Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership will show you how to do just that. Funny, honest, intensely actionable, and based on her decades of experience, this is the book Joan Garry wishes she had when she led GLAAD out of a financial crisis in 1997. Joan will teach you how to: Build a powerhouse board Create an impressive and sustainable fundraising program Become seen as a ‘workplace of choice’ Be a compelling public face of your nonprofit This book will renew your passion for your mission and organization, and help you make a bigger difference in the world.


Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards

Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards

Author: Richard T. Ingram

Publisher: BoardSource, Inc.

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13: 1586861069

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Designed to help nonprofit board members and senior staff, "The six books address all of the fundamental elements of service common to most boards, including board member responsibilities, how to structure the board in the most efficient manner, and how to accomplish governance work in the spirit of the mission of the organization."--Pg. 2 of Book 1


The Nonprofit Board Answer Book

The Nonprofit Board Answer Book

Author: BoardSource

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2010-12-21

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 1118047486

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“Think for a moment of the best conversations you’ve had with friends and colleagues. You were honest with one another—not shy about speaking up but relaxed, even if the topic being discussed was serious in nature. That’s the type of conversation The Nonprofit Board Answer Book aims to have with you in the pages that follow. It follows a question-and-answer format, enabling you to quickly find an answer to a burning question you have right now. At the same time, it’s easy to pick up and read straight through, either cover to cover or one section at a time. At the end of each question-and-answer pairing you’ll find suggested action steps. These offer ways to put the information to a practical use on your own board and within your own nonprofit organization. Implementing some of these steps may lead to more questions as you become even more committed to fulfilling your responsibilities as a board member. Remember: behind every good answer lies a good question. So keep asking those questions.”--from the Introduction


The Little Book of Boards

The Little Book of Boards

Author: Erik Hanberg

Publisher: Side x Side Publishing

Published: 2015-02-10

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13:

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Are you new to a board and have no idea what’s expected of you? Do you know what a board’s six key responsibilities are? Do you know what your relationship with the Executive Director should be? If not, this book is for you. So many board members—especially of small nonprofits—want to support a nonprofit and readily accept the invitation to join the board. It’s only then that they discover they are in over their heads, with no idea of their expectations and responsibilities. The Little Book of Boards is here to throw that drowning board member a rope. Told with a conversational style, this book will lead you through the basics of being on a board, how meetings work, and what’s expected between meetings. In addition, at the back of the book are several in-depth resources for understanding Roberts Rules of Order, bylaws, committee structures, board leadership, and much more. Perfect for any new board member—or for an entire board that is feeling lost—this book and its common sense approach will serve you every year you are on the board.


Good Governance for Nonprofits

Good Governance for Nonprofits

Author: Fredric L. Laughlin

Publisher: AMACOM/American Management Association

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 9780814400746

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Now even with limited resources, nonprofit leaders will learn how to: eliminate redundant or outdated policies; add new policies more effectively; clearly guide the CEO and evaluate his or her performance; ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations; understand why certain policies should be included; and adapt the authors' templates to their specific needs.


Nonprofit Board Service for the Genius

Nonprofit Board Service for the Genius

Author: Susan Schaefer

Publisher:

Published: 2015-02-20

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 9781941050132

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Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS is a first-of-its kind reference for the millions of people who are seeking to serve on a nonprofit board or already serve on one. It is a fun, informative read that candidly highlights a board member's ups and downs. Perfect for the novice, the veteran who needs a refresher, or the executive director looking to take the group to a higher level; it has been acclaimed by experts as the resource that the sector been waiting for. The book takes the reader through the process of searching for a board, the first year of membership, into the leadership realm, and beyond. It is ideal for these purposes: Decision-making tool for finding the right board Board orientation takeaway Board meeting reference Board development resource Executive director training Nonprofit training text The book and its appendices contain a number of templates and sample documents that will help any nonprofit strengthen its value. Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS moves sequentially through the stages of nomination, early candidacy, and more advanced topics: Part 1: Board Service with Your Eyes Wide Open Chapter 1: Why Would Anyone Want to Serve on a Nonprofit Board? Chapter 2: Board Basics Chapter 3: Just the Facts Chapter 4: Finding the Right Match Chapter 5: Getting From Here to There: From Candidate to Board Member Part 2: Hit the Ground Running Chapter 6: Ready, Set, Action Wait, Who Does What? Chapter 7: Board Anatomy 101 Chapter 8: Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, 990s...Oh My Chapter 9: Creating a Roadmap: Strategic Thinking and Planning Part 3: Digging In Chapter 10: Budgets: A Financial Blueprint Chapter 11: Other Fun Financials Chapter 12: From Ambassador to Advocate Chapter 13: The "F" Word: Fundraising Chapter 14: Risk Management: Covering Your Assets Chapter 15: Measuring Organizational Success: The Board's Role Part 4: Behind the Curtain Chapter 16: Board Recruitment: The Dating Game Chapter 17: Orientation: An Essential Beginning Chapter 18: Make Meetings Magical Part 5: The Care and Feeding of Your Leaders Chapter 19: ED-Chair Partnership: The Dynamic Duo Chapter 20: Supporting and Evaluating the ED Chapter 21: Hiring and Firing the ED Chapter 22: What If Your Leaders Flee to Cancun? Chapter 23: Founders and Long-Time Leaders Part 6: Taking the Reins Chapter 24: Assessing the Board's Performance Chapter 25: Keeping Board Members Engaged and Connected Chapter 26: When Things Go Awry Chapter 27: Board Culture: Boards Are People Too Appendices include a sample board commitment form, individual board member fundraising plan, conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, document retention and destruction policy, and executive director evaluation. Nonprofit Board Service for the GENIUS is a must-have guide for these groups: Executive directors looking to propel the board to the next level Community members interested in exploring board service Novice board members driven to learn more Veteran board members who would like to brush up on basics or take on a leadership post With real examples of inspiration and what to avoid, the book's vignettes show that board work takes time and commitment, but enables creativity and provides immense personal and professional benefits and opportunities. Its spirited tone will follow readers to the boardroom and into communities around the country.


Welcome to the Board

Welcome to the Board

Author: Fisher Howe

Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Published: 1995-04-13

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13:

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Welcome to the Board is the first book of its kind written with you, the board member, as the focus. If you are an active or prospective board member, Fisher Howe's book provides you with expert guidance and basic nuts-and-bolts information about board membership. In easy-to-understand, jargon-free language the author answers the most common questions and concerns of prospective board members, outlines the key areas of responsibilities, and details the rights, obligations, and liabilities of nonprofit board members.


Firing Lousy Board Members

Firing Lousy Board Members

Author: Simone Joyaux

Publisher:

Published: 2014-01

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 9781938077425

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Every organization deserves a good board and effective board members. And every board member deserves a chance to be an effective board member. But too often, things aren't working. Board members aren't effective - and staff aren't helping them to be effective. Or, staff are doing all that is possible - but the board member is causing too many problems. This book tells you how to fix the situation. This book explains why board members are (or aren't) effective. And, this book gives you specific strategies and tools to fire the lousy board members and help the others succeed. Topics include: Distinction between board and board member. Finding the right board members. Role of the governance committee. Monitoring board members Tools include: Board job description. Performance expectations of the board member. Evaluation tools. Skills inventory. As you read Firing Lousy Board Members, you'll realize that this book is mostly about how to NOT fire people. Instead, the book focuses on finding the right board members and enabling them to be successful. Firing is only a last resort. But it's an important strategy to launch in some situations. Unfortunately, some organizations and their leadership are too afraid to do this important work. What a shame. The process is not as hard as you might think. More importantly, bad board members produce bad governance. And bad governance is a huge risk for the nonprofit sector. Bad governance can put your organization - and its board members - on the media's front page. It's just not acceptable to keep poor performers around. It's not fair to other board members. It's not fair to staff. And it isn't fair to the organization's mission. Serving on a board is serious business. Sadly, too many boards and board members (and staff, too) don't realize how serious this business is. Read Firing Lousy Board Members before you continue down the wrong paths. Read Firing Lousy Board Members - and talk about the serious business of good governance and effective and ineffective board members. This book is a quick and easy read. User friendly, fast, and sometimes pretty funny. The author, Simone Joyaux, has direct experience doing every thing described in this book. Joyaux has been an executive director, chief development officer, board chair, and chair of governance and fundraising committees. Here is some reader applause about Firing Lousy Board Members: At last! The long-overdue guide to making dreams of nonprofit organizations come true by exorcising the nightmare of lousy board members. Simone Joyaux's lifetime of thoughtful, proven experience in building strong organizations is distilled in this highly readable, how-to road map to success. Read it, then get started today on building great boards and culling bad board members. --Roger M. Craver, Editor, The Agitator Ask yourself which is the priority, the mission or the problem board member? Mission must be the answer! Simone Joyaux's concise, direct, clear guide gives you the road map to build a power board and confront problem members who jeopardize your mission. --Robbe Healey, MBA, ACFRE, Vice President for Philanthropy, Simpson Senior Services Firing a nonprofit board member? Awkward! But it may be a little easier after you read this book by the plain-talking but insightful Simone Joyaux who says that poor-performing trustees present a problem of board contamination. --Ruth McCambridge, Editor in Chief, Nonprofit Quarterly