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This report contains the results from a survey conducted by Grant Thornton about board policies and structures throughout the United States. Questions were asked pertaining to issues such as conflict of interest policies, financial audits, and board responsibilities. Key Terms: accountability, audit committee, board development, board governance, board management, board structure, conflict of interest, environmental audit, governance, leadership, Sarbanes-Oxley, transparency
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This article explains how to build a board through strategic recruitment, self-evaluation, and careful assignment of member roles. Key Terms: board development, board management, board recruitment, governance
Preferred Practice:
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Have A Strong Board Nominating Committee
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Pinpoint board requirements related to your organization's goal and recruit people with the talent your board needs.
Pitfall:
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Electing a Board Member Because of Their Needed Skill Alone
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Elect board members because of both their needed skills and their interest in the organization, making sure that each board member is committed to the mission of the organization.
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This Web site is designed to be a one stop site to improve accountability and governance with checklists, forms, documents, tools, resources, and training on many topics. It also contains links to help with the training of staff and board members. Key Terms: board development, board management, governance, roles and responsibilities, training
Preferred Practice:
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Have No More than One Paid Staff Person Member
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Usually the only paid staff member is the chief staff officer and he/she shall not chair the board nor serve as treasurer.
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Have A Strong Board Nominating Committee
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Pinpoint board requirements related to your organization's goal and recruit people with the talent your board needs.
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Have A Board Member Contract
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New board members should sign this document spelling out expectations; continuing members should review the document annually.
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Recruit New Board Members Effectively
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Clarify the organization's expectations about Board members and fundraising up front and discuss how the prospective volunteer can get involved; do not assume the new Board member understands this role and do not assume he or she will just “get it.”
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Have a Minimum of Five Voting Members
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Many organizations need more than five members on the board, however, five is seen as the minimum required for adequate governance.
Pitfall:
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Having Unclear Roles of the Board and CEO
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The board should develop detailed roles and responsibilities for each board member, specific to each role. The CEO's role and responsibilities should also be clear, so there should be an explanation of how the CEO should interact with the board and at board meetings.
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Starting New Board Members without Proper Training or Information
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Provide all new board members, regardless of their past experience, with an orientation session covering both the organization and their governance responsibilities.
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Using One Governance Model Throughout the History of the Organization
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Recognize that your organization may require different governance models at different development stages.
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Electing a Board Member Because of Their Needed Skill Alone
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Elect board members because of both their needed skills and their interest in the organization, making sure that each board member is committed to the mission of the organization.
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This Web site focuses on being a catalyst and resource to communities seeking to resolve the difficulties nonprofit boards face in filling their membership needs - as well as the perceived barriers confronting many people who are interested in serving as board members. It features the Board Member FYI with board members discussing issues such as African-American on an All-White Board, and Board Members Who Act Up.
Preferred Practice:
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Have A Policy Promoting Pluralism and Diversity within the Organization's Board, Staff, and Constituencies
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Organizations vary widely in their ability to demonstrate pluralism and diversity. Every organization should establish a policy that is consistent with its mission statement and fosters inclusiveness such as an affirmative action program.
Pitfall:
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Having a Board That is Not Representative
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Match the diversity of your board and staff to the diversity of the people in your community of supporters and clients.
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Electing a Board Member Because of Their Needed Skill Alone
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Elect board members because of both their needed skills and their interest in the organization, making sure that each board member is committed to the mission of the organization.
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This article explains the roles and responsibilities of a board of directors in the areas of planning and policy development; community and organizational development; and, fundraising and support development. This article also has examples of Board Member Commitment Pledge form and a sample Board Member Evaluation Form. Key Terms: board development, board effectiveness, board management, governance, roles and responsibilities, policy
Preferred Practice:
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Have No More than One Paid Staff Person Member
-
Usually the only paid staff member is the chief staff officer and he/she shall not chair the board nor serve as treasurer.
-
Have A Strong Board Nominating Committee
-
Pinpoint board requirements related to your organization's goal and recruit people with the talent your board needs.
-
Recruit New Board Members Effectively
-
Clarify the organization's expectations about Board members and fundraising up front and discuss how the prospective volunteer can get involved; do not assume the new Board member understands this role and do not assume he or she will just “get it.”
-
Have a Minimum of Five Voting Members
-
Many organizations need more than five members on the board, however, five is seen as the minimum required for adequate governance.
Pitfall:
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Electing a Board Member Because of Their Needed Skill Alone
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Elect board members because of both their needed skills and their interest in the organization, making sure that each board member is committed to the mission of the organization.
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Having Board Members Who Do Not Give
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All board members should be asked to make a monetary contribution in accordance with their abilities to give.
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