Category: Governance
-
The danger of the “Well-Meaning” but Toxic Board Member or Volunteer….
From the title you knew who I was talking about didn’t you? You know, that volunteer or board member who “means well”, the “I have a little extra time on my hands”, or the “I am a specialist in “X” and I see we are not doing this as an organization. Perhaps I can help?”…
-
Difficult Board and ED Relationships…
Nearly every ED has had at least one “difficult” board and by contrast nearly every board has had times when they have difficulties with an ED.What happens when a relationship like this goes sour? Before you are ready to throw in the towel, it helps to take a step back and reassess. In the heat…
-
The North Star: How to Create Measurable Passion in Our Organizations
More than a decade ago, I remember being in a strategic planning session, and we were tasked with crafting mission and vision statements for the organization. In the midst of this session, a challenge emerged in the form of a board member who staunchly advocated for longer mission and vision statements. He believed that extended…
-
Why Non-Profits Need an Organizational North Star
In my past life as a Consultant, I remember often working with organizations to develop and implement strategic plans, to identify metrics and to develop tracking tools. Often times, I would get resistance from some organizations stating” we don’t have time for all of this”, or ” there are too many metrics to track across…
-
To Committee or Not to Committee? That is the Question…
Every non-profit I have ever been involved with, at some point gets to a level, where the question of whether or not to start using committees comes up. In today’s blog we talk about the establishing committees, why they are useful and whether or not they are right for your organization. Read on to find…
-
Optimizing Your Nonprofit’s Leadership: Legal Requirements and Best Practices for Board Composition Or How Many to Use and When
For any nonprofit organization, the board of directors plays a pivotal role in strategic oversight and governance. Establishing an effective board is not just about meeting legal requirements; it’s about embracing best practices that underpin the nonprofit’s success. I often used to get questions about what is the best size for my board of directors.…
-
Navigating Turbulent Times: The Crisis in Nonprofit Leadership
In the world of nonprofit leadership, the toll of burnout is a story we hear too often. Consider the case of an Executive Director, a colleague, who steered a youth-focused nonprofit from a fledgling initiative into a beacon of hope for thousands. The organization, under this leader’s guidance, became a transformative force in the community.…
-
The Operational Evaluation: Expanding Our Definitions of Non-Profit Project Evaluations
Non-Profit project evaluations always seemed to me to be a little like a science fair project. You identify your theory of change or hypothesis, and some variables that you are hoping to impact. You reference some past research. You then identify some biases, discuss your methodology, collect your data, write a report and draw some…
-
The Transformative Power of Data and Storytelling for the Nonprofit Sector
Do you remember the last time that you were enraptured by a number? Neither do I. How about the last time a fact moved you to tears? Likely, also no. We are seldom moved by the black and white. The beauty and impact in the nonprofit sector comes from the shades of grey that fill…
-
Do I Need a Policy Against Ponzi Schemes & Other Stories from the Trenches
In today’s blog we discuss some unusual policies that Non Profits have implemented over the years… So in my 15 years of consulting with non profits and sitting on boards, you can assume I have seen some weird stuff. I think the weirdest was when one executive director reached out to me and asked if…