Page 5 - C&A's Nonprofit Board Guide

Y ou’ve been asked by a nonprofit Board will have thought this question through individuals that know, like, and respect one
in advance and be prepared to offer a detailed another. Don’t compound this by choosing to be
organization to join its Board of
Directors. With that comes a tremendous answer. After determining what they have in involved with people you are not comfortable
level of responsibility that goes beyond mind, contemplate whether you see your ability with. If you’re unsure of some of the people
just showing up for meetings and passing to contribute the same way they do. you may be dealing with personally, ask around
resolutions. It requires an understanding of in your network of friends and professional
what being a Board member entails: your What are the financial requirements colleagues to make an informed decision.
duties, the organization’s expectations, your of being a Board member?
legal exposure, the role you’ll be expected to Next, turn your attention to the financial
play, the time and money commitment, etc. Many Boards have financial expectations for each condition of the organization.
It also requires some due diligence and soul member. A “give or get” Board policy may exist,
searching on your part. which requires each Board member to contribute At a minimum, you should review the
or obtain gifts of a specified dollar amount. The organization’s latest annual reports and its IRS
It is critical to determine if you are the right Board may also expect you to absorb the costs Form 990s. These are public documents and
person for the job. You need to look in the of being a director, such as the price of meals, Guidestar.org will have copies of the Form 990s
mirror and ask yourself some difficult questions. travel, and gas. Whatever form these financial if they are being filed. It would also be wise
Remember, the organization has certain expectations take, you need to be prepared to to request and review the audit results if the
expectations of you as a director and you need meet them before accepting a Board position. organization is of a size that requires an annual
to recognize exactly what these expectations audit. Pay close attention to any management
are in order to conclude whether or not you’re Finally, you need to ask yourself if you can letter that the auditors prepared as this document
prepared to make the sacrifice. Outlined below put the interests of the organization ahead will contain insights into the organization that
are some important questions and key points to may not be revealed in the financial documents.
consider: of your own.
Remember, this is part of your duty of loyalty Consider where the organization
Are you passionate about the organization to the organization. Regardless of your personal is headed.
and the impact it has on society? feelings and goals, the interests of the organization
must come first. The organization should have a vision and a
Having passion for the organization and its strategic plan. Is the Board paying attention to
cause is perhaps the most vital trait that someone If by now you have determined that you are the plan? Some organizations have strategic
can bring to an organization. If you don’t have right for the tasks ahead, you should then focus plans that are no more than a dusty notepad
passion, you may find yourself reluctant to make on whether the organization is right for you. on the shelf. Others have plans that are living
the sacrifices or put in the time, energy, and When buying real estate or anything tangible, the documents, consistently being referred to, with
effort to meet the organization’s expectations. prudent consumer will research the product and growth measured toward established goals. You
We’re all busy. Many of us have work or family decide if it is right for him or her. The same is true want to be connected with an organization that
obligations that hinder our capacity to offer time of deciding to join the Board of an organization. fits the latter description, and not the former.
and/or energy to a nonprofit — even one that we
have a personal passion for. You need to find out You already know what the mission and programs Understand how the Board operates.
what the time requirements are, and then decide of the organization are; you asked this question
whether you can and want to realistically meet when you were determining if you had a passion Are there active committees that carry on the
those expectations. for the organization. So let’s turn to some other work of the Board? Try to ascertain whether the
central points to consider: full Board is really making decisions, or if there
Can you effectively contribute is a smaller group within the Board that seems to
to the Board? Take a look at the other leaders of the be making the decisions and then informing the
organization. Do you know them? Are they other Board members after the fact.
Even if you have determined that you have people you respect or can respect?
a passion for the cause, that still may not be There will always be some uncertainties for
sufficient. Do you have knowledge, skills, Are they people you can work with on a new Board members and some period of
experience, contacts, or other qualities that will personal basis? adjustment, but the organization owes you an
assist the Board in performing its functions? orientation process to develop the knowledge
Perhaps those who extended the invitation can You need to be comfortable with the people you and understandings essential to contribute. At a
offer some insight on this. A high-functioning are sharing responsibility with. In the course of minimum, you should comprehend the following:
Board work, conflicts can develop even between

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