Blog
How Would You Grade Your Board?
Seems to be a lot of buzz about US nonprofit boards getting a B- grade as reported by BoardSource in its 2014 governance index. School told us the numeric underpinnings of that grade; not so in this report. I wonder what a B- really means. Is it good? Bordering on average but still above average?
Quick Take on Nonprofit Board Survey Results
BoardSource has released the findings from its 2014 governance survey. 846 chief executives and 246 board chairs responded. There is a lot to read and digest and I am reading and thinking – reading and thinking. I want to share a “quick take” of some of the findings.
Nonprofit Executives and Board Members: Avoid These 5 Goal Pitfalls!
“Concentrate all your thoughts on the work at hand. The Sun’s rays do not burn until brought into focus.” Alexander Graham Bell
You know you will achieve what you focus on so be sure to bring the power of focus (like the burning rays of the sun) to the implementation of your goals. It works. But, I’ve learned it is not enough.
Nonprofit executives and board members: 5 tips for achieving goals
Happy New Year! You have probably had a lot of messages in your inbox about goals. Goals are what we think about this time of year. Is it really worth our attention? A ten year Harvard study and neuroscience tell us it is.
Nonprofit executives and board members: Thank you!
Thank you for all that you do to enrich our communities and our lives. Everyday I have the privilege to connect with nonprofit leaders and everyday I am inspired by each and every one of you. My thanks to you are personal and deep.
Nonprofit board members and executives: Giving vs generosity
We are entering the “season of giving.” Statements like “It is better to give than to receive” abound. Holiday traditions warm our hearts: turkey and trimmings, baking cookies, mistletoe, caroling etc. I read an article by Suzie Orman (Success December issue) this morning and, while her advice focused on giving and spending money during this season, I was struck by how it applies to nonprofit executive directors and board members. See what you think.
Nonprofit executives and board members: 5 things to know about annual fund giving
When I was an executive director this was the time of year when we began working on our annual fund drive. We asked board members for new names. They agreed to personally sign letters. We worked on what to write. You know the drill. I was not a fund development professional and we did not have good research to inform our strategy. Now you do.
Nonprofit board members and executives: What is lobbying?
At a meeting with several executive directors this past week, an interesting question came up now that Fall, and thus election season is upon us. Can (or should) an executive director (ED) endorse a candidate? While the consensus was that an ED should not endorse a candidate as the ED of his/her nonprofit, the views were mixed about whether or not it would be OK to endorse “personally.” The challenge for some EDs is how to extricate their personal and professional identities from each other. This led to a broader discussion of nonprofits and lobbying.
Nonprofit leaders: Advocate!
Last week I attended a large gathering of nonprofit leaders in Austin, TX. One of the keynote speakers was Diana Aviv, the CEO of the Independent Sector (IS). She spoke eloquently about their research on what strategies make nonprofit advocacy efforts most effective. Many nonprofit leaders—perhaps especially board members—don’t consider how advocacy could advance their missions. After hearing from over 500 nonprofit organizations, the IS identified five key approaches for effective advocacy. These may be very relevant for your nonprofit.
Nonprofit board members ask: How to plan?
“What is the best process to use to create our strategic plan?” “Do we really need a strategic plan?” “We are meeting for four hours to update our strategic plan, what do we need to be sure to include?” Feelings board members and executive directors express when posing these questions range from dread to bewilderment to steadfastness and, yes, even excitement! It is a big topic with no one right approach. I think of strategic planning as the process of engaging in asking and answering important questions—questions that enable you as nonprofit leaders to envision, and ultimately realize, a desired future. There are three questions that can encapsulate the process.
Free Guide: 6 Steps You Must Know to Unleash
the Potential of Your Nonprofit Board
Let’s Talk
Experiencing challenges? Schedule your free consultation with Mary today.