Why do bad boards happen to good organizations?

Regina BirdsellPresident & CEO

Center for Nonprofit Management

$38 Billion6% of Workforce250,000 employees

2010 UCLA Study: "Resilience and Vulnerability: The State of the Nonprofit Sector in Los Angeles,"

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What Are Nonprofit Boards Doing Right?

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• Understand the mission & raise money• Support the CEO & raise money• Strategic planning & raise money• Monitor organizational performance &

raise money• Recruit Board Members who will RAISE

MONEY

Ideal Board Members would:

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Why do bad boards happen to good organizations?

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DURING RECRUITMENT

BETWEEN BOARD MEETINGS

DURING BOARD MEETINGS

DURING TRANSITIONS OR CRISIS

A Field Guide for Building Better Boards

Understand Roles & Expectations

Board=Policy Staff=AdminLegal Responsibility Managing

Monitor Progress in achieving mission/vision

Providing information to the board

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1. Defined roles and areas of responsibility2. Mutually defined and agreed upon goals3. Information is shared in a timely way4. Agreement on priorities & mission5. Consistent communication6. Annual Evaluation & Service Pledge7. Regular meetings to monitor progress against goals8. Shared responsibility for the health of the organization

Strategies for Exceptional Board/ED Relationships

Fundraising Without Fear

• Cultivation• Solicitation• Stewardship

Keys to Success

• Clearly Defined Annual Fundraising Goals• Clearly Delegate Responsibilities to meet

goals• Create Recognition policies and plans• Matching Skills with Right Job

+ Issues They Worry About:Don’t Understand MissionDon’t Know How to AskWant to Avoid Rejection

Tools You Can Use

• Organizational Assessment• Before Joining A Board• Board Member Service Pledge

Center for Nonprofit Management

www.cnmsocal.org

Thank you!