You serve on a Board, now what?
A few things that will help you add value as you serve on a board.
So many professionals serve the public as a full time job, then they serve by giving of themselves on boards; public and private.
Boards are typically designed to provide service, strategy, and policy for a group and in the United States, there are nearly 1.6 million non-profit organizations and their associated boards. There is no denying that non-profits play an important role in our communities and those who choose to accept board service want to help, but so many members are uninformed or unaware of their responsibilities as board members.
According to Ingram (2009), there are ten basic responsibilities of non-profit boards. As you read these, consider your roles and what good governance looks like on your board.
Ingram’s list:
- Determine the mission and purpose
- Select the chief executive
- Support and evaluate the chief executive
- Ensure effective planning
- Monitor and strengthen programs and services
- Ensure adeqate financial resources
- Protect assets and provide financial oversight
- Build a competent board
- Ensure legal and ethical integrity
- Enhance the organization’s public standing
Beneath each numbered responsibility, Ingram thoughtfully described each of the responsibilities, added tips, pitfalls, and questions that board members should ask. One of note for immediate action is under #10 — Enhance the organization’s public standing. A tip offered is to discuss and refine the description that each board member provides when asked about the organization. That “elevator speech”, while brief, has impact in the understanding of the mission, service, and professionalism of the board. Underestimating the effect of how board members describe the board has the potential to undermine the public opinion of the board.
Whether you are new to a board, or a veteran member, read the list, take action, and know that you serve for something more important than a note on a resume! Your consideration that you have defined responsibilities is important for the board and the mission they hope to achieve and the community that benefits from the services provided.
Ingram, Richard T. Ten Basic Responsibilities of nonprofit boards. 2009. BoardSource Publishing. Washington DC.
