Good governance is vital to the sustainable and effective management of non-profit organizations. Not all boards of nonprofits are well-run. A poorly run board could even cause the organization’s failure. It doesn’t matter if your organization is starting out or has been in existence for a while, making sure your board’s efficiency can help it face challenges and achieve long-term success.
The most important role of a board member for a non-profit organization is to develop a strategic vision. The nonprofit board must be selected by members that are willing and capable of investing the time and effort required for this task. This requires a thorough selection process to find the right mix of diverse backgrounds, expertise and experience. It is also essential to ensure that new and veteran board members receive training and support in their efforts to make the most important decisions for the organization.
When the board puts a high priority on important tasks of the organization, they must be able to trust the executive director to oversee the day-today operations of the non-profit. Nonprofits shouldn’t rely entirely on the committees of the board for operations. This can result in inefficiency as well as a lack of accountability.
If a board of a non-profit organization doesn’t have an chief executive officer, it usually operates using the Cooperative Governance Model. This is a democratic model that distributes power equally between the board members. It is best if the board members demonstrate equal commitment to the organization, and are willing to be accountable for their actions. To avoid conflicts of interest, the nonprofit should create an effective policy on conflicts of interest and discuss it with board members on a regular basis.