The success of a non-profit organization is determined by the governance of its board. In addition to ensuring the overall mission the board must ensure that it performs its fiduciary obligations and abides by legal and ethical standards in the way it oversees and runs the organisation. To help ensure these duties the board must follow the highest standards in all areas.
Fundraising and donor management are two areas that are of particular concern. To aid in these efforts, the board should promote creativity and innovative ideas among its members. It board secretary role should also be the one to attract and keep new members. Included in this is an explicit description of the job, and what they will be doing. This will help avoid miscommunications and expectations and help in the process of hiring.
A sound revenue management strategy is another vital aspect. The board should safeguard the tax-exempt status for nonprofits by ensuring all expenditures are justifiable. The board should also ensure that the CEO’s spending is held accountable and that the organization does not spend more than they have.
It’s easy for board members to become focused on the privilege of serving their community, and forget that they’re responsible for the management of the company, not simply participate in the work. This is evident in the most important issues like the appointment of an executive director, to the smallest things such as weighing in about the pricing for a service. To avoid this, the board needs to periodically review its performance and make any necessary changes.