Great Boards for Small Nonprofits
By Andy Robinson; 120 pages; published by Emerson & Church
Thank you Andy Robinson for your common sense advice about serving on a nonprofit board. So much has been written about operating a nonprofit board of directors - the meetings, the committees, the nomination process, the bylaws - that it can be easy to forget the little things that make a big difference. With more than 20 years of nonprofit board experience, Robinson has seen it all and learned a lot along the way. Lucky for the rest of us, he has compiled these insights into an informative one-hour guide.
He touches on familiar topics such as the need for board job descriptions, but also explains why you should have a reciprocal board agreement that outlines what you, as a board member, expect to receive in return (intangibles, of course, but still important). He also discusses board renewal, the recruitment process, and the reasons why you should be encouraging board turnover - an unfamiliar notion for some. And then there is the issue of fundraising. Robinson's suggestion is simple: create board fundraising agreements for each member, asking them to commit to certain fundraising activities over the course of a year. It's a personal plan that incorporates each person's interests and strengths, while also creating accountability. The last few chapters are dedicated to common board challenges and how to rectify or at least improve them. If your board has ever suffered from poor attendance at meetings, poor follow-through on commitments, conflicts of interest, or micro-management, you will want to hear what Robinson has to say.
Although aimed primarily at small nonprofits, any board will benefit from a refresher of the principles and advice offered in this book. It's a quick and informative read that can help you implement long-lasting changes that will improve the calibre of your board and your organization.
Buy the book:
Canada: buy through Amazon.ca
