Nonprofit Boards can be messy. Here’s how to harness their potential.
Every board, like anything else, is always a work in progress.
The board of directors plays a pivotal role in the success or failure of any organization, and nonprofit boards are no exception. They provide strategic direction, financial stewardship, and operational oversight. But while their intentions may be noble and their dedication unquestionable, nonprofit boards can often be a tad chaotic. Given the diversity of board members, their backgrounds, their schedules, and often the complexity of the issues they face, the boardroom can quickly become a cacophony of voices with conflicting opinions, and without exemplary leadership or organization, a potential hotbed for inefficiencies and unproductive behaviors.
Yet, within this chaos lies the potential for a positive, impactful force to transform a nonprofit into a champion of its cause. So, how do we steer this 'messy' board towards harnessing its potential for the greater good? Let's explore some strategies that can help.
1. Set Clear Expectations
From the onset, communicate what is expected from each board member. This includes their roles and responsibilities, time commitments, and financial obligations. Remember, people can only fulfill expectations they know about. Therefore, take the time to discuss these expectations and ensure each member understands their requirements.
2. Develop a Strong Board Culture
Having a healthy board culture is crucial. When board members respect each other, embrace diversity, and understand the value of each person's contributions, they are more likely to work collaboratively towards common goals. Promote open communication, foster trust, and create a safe space for everyone to share their ideas, concerns, and suggestions.
3. Train and Educate
Training should not be reserved solely for staff. Providing board members with proper education about the organization's mission, strategic plan, programs, and finances can be incredibly beneficial. This could also extend to governance practices, fundraising strategies, or any relevant topic that adds value to their role. Remember, a knowledgeable board is an empowered board.
4. Encourage Strategic Thinking
Boards should be forward-thinking and focused on the organization's future direction. This can be achieved by fostering a culture of strategic thinking, allowing board members to contribute to the nonprofit's growth and innovation. Annual strategic planning sessions, where the board and senior management can come together to review and update the organization's strategic direction, are a great place to start.
5. Ensure Regular Evaluation
Regular evaluations can identify strengths and weaknesses and areas of improvement within the board. This process should be constructive to enhance individual and collective performance. The assessment could include board meeting efficiency, member contribution, adherence to responsibilities, and the overall functionality of the board.
6. Engage in Succession Planning
Leadership continuity is crucial for any organization. Nonprofits should invest in succession planning to ensure a seamless transition when board members retire or step down. Having a plan reduces disruption and maintains the momentum of the organization's work.
Conclusion
Nonprofit boards may be messy sometimes, but they also have enormous potential to effect change. By setting clear expectations, fostering a healthy board culture, educating and training members, encouraging strategic thinking, conducting regular evaluations, and engaging in succession planning, nonprofits can harness the potential of their boards for the greater good. Remember, every board is a work in progress; even the most efficient ones can improve. By accepting the 'messy' as part of the journey, nonprofits can create a thriving boardroom environment where everyone works towards a shared vision of a better world.