When things go wrong the board is usually the one who suffers the brunt criticism. A poorly functioning board can lead to mismanagement, and even financial ruin. This is why it’s crucial to ensure that your Board is equipped with the skills and know-how to ensure proper oversight to your business.
You’ll want to find Nonprofit Board members who are committed to the cause and are passionate about serving the needs of your organization. They must have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and roles in order to be able to take part in all of your organization decisions, including adopting policies, setting compensation for the executive director, and raising funds.
A well-functioning board is a vital bridge between your nonprofit and the community. The board is responsible of determining how your organization can best serve the community. The executive director along with staff members, then implements the vision that was formulated by the board throughout the day-to-day operations.
In the past, a lot of non-profits sought wealthy and well-connected individuals to serve on their board. Although these connections are helpful but nowadays, it’s more common to seek out people with enthusiasm and a dedication to your cause. It is also beneficial to hire diverse people to fill different roles, so your board can have a variety of perspectives and viewpoints. A study by Korngold found that 78% of members of boards for non-profit organizations report that they are more willing to listen when other perspectives are offered.