Board Management of Nonprofit Organizations

The management of a non-profit organization is usually a job that’s a volunteer opportunity for people with a boardroomusa.org/what-information-do-board-secretaries-need-to-record/ deep passion for the cause. While the work can be rewarding however, it’s not always simple. Board management is one of the most difficult aspects of the job. Board members can be easily distracted by the larger scope of their tasks and lose track of the small things that are needed to ensure that the organization runs smoothly. This can be manifested in large ways, such as the decision to hire an Executive Director, or in the smallest ones, such as considering the cost for a featured service.

There are a myriad of sources that can assist board members effectively manage their obligations. According to the guideline for 2015 Leading with Intent, some of the most common board responsibilities include financial oversight, fundraising and advocacy for community-building. It is vital that every member of the board understands these responsibilities and is able to carry them out these tasks effectively.

Boards can be structured with different committees to help them organize their tasks and improve overall performance. A committee for fundraising events, for instance might be tasked with planning events and managing the donor database. Another committee might be in charge of recruiting new members as well as orienting new members and conducting performance evaluations for the board as a whole. A third committee might focus on the board’s internal processes and processes such as the development of policies, while a fourth might focus on governance.

Whatever the organization, all boards should be equipped with tools that simplify board responsibilities, and allow for open communication and transparency. For instance, board software can help streamline the logistics of meetings and help members to stay on top of their duties by allowing them to make time for board meetings by agendas that are centralized, email notifications, and much more.