A non-profit’s management is usually a job performed by volunteers who are passionate about the cause. While the work can be rewarding however, it’s not always simple. Board management is one of the most difficult aspects of the job. Board members can get distracted by the bigger scope of their responsibilities and forget the nitty-gritty details that are necessary to ensure that the organization runs smoothly. This can be manifested in large ways, such as the hiring of an Executive Director, or in the smallest ones, like considering the cost for a featured service.
There are plenty of resources that can help board members manage their obligations effectively. According to the Leading with Intent guide from 2015 the most important board responsibilities are financial oversight, fundraising advocacy, community-building, and financial oversight. It is essential that each member of the board is able to effectively execute these responsibilities.
Boards can be arranged with various committees to help them organize their tasks and improve overall performance. A committee for fundraising, for instance, might be responsible for planning events and coordinating the donor data base. Another committee could be charged with recruiting new members and orienting them and also conducting evaluations of the performance boardroomusa.org/how-to-create-a-budget-for-a-nonprofit-organizations/ of the board. A third committee might focus on the internal operations of the board and processes, including the development of policies, while another could be focused on governance.
No matter what the structure, all boards must be equipped with tools to simplify board tasks, and allow open communication and transparency. For instance, board software can help streamline the logistics of meetings and make it easier for members to stay on top of their responsibilities, allowing them to make time for board meetings by central agendas, email notifications and more.