A nonprofit board is responsible for the organization’s fiduciary duties and oversees its future sustainability. They ensure that your nonprofit has the proper funding to carry out its mission and that it’s managed ethically and legally, through the financial and governance policies. They also assess the executive director’s performance as well as compensation and other important management issues.
Nonprofit boards are usually made up of people who have connections to donors and other key members of the community and who are passionate about the cause and the goals. You should also look for people who are detail oriented so they can comprehend how the whole picture is put together and what each department is required to do.
Board members should demonstrate an intense commitment to the mission of the nonprofit and be able to devote significant time and effort to meeting obligations. They should also be able to articulate their worth as a trustee, and the consequences of the decisions they make. They should not be susceptible to gossip or rumor, and they shouldn’t seek to win the favor of other trustees or staff members by playing favoritism.
It is vital that your incoming board members are aware of their responsibilities. many organizations use training sessions to teach the new trustees on their legal and fiduciary duties, as well as other governance practices. They can be led by the executive director or by fellow board members.
