The January 29, 2020 Give Back Better webinar covered the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members and how best practices can significantly enhance an organization's success. Vicki Burkhart, Executive Director, Kids’ Chance of America and Founder and CEO, The More Than Giving Co., led the discussion along with Kids’ Chance State Representative, Bob Wilson (Kids’ Chance of Florida).

Key Take-Aways

In focusing on the role of a board member, and more specifically, what every board member should know, there are a number of statements board members should be able to make across various key elements of their organizations and their board member roles.

‍Mission/Vision Statements/Plan

• I can state them from memory or easily find them.
• I know these statements from our work.
• I am aware of the plan and rely on it to frame discussions of the board.
• I am familiar with the goals or core competencies in the plan.
• I recognize the plan is the roadmap for board, committees, and staff.
• I know why the mission and vision matters.

Suggested Tip: One easy way to help board members become more aware of the organization’s mission and/or strategic plan goals is to include it prominently on each board agenda. That keeps it front and center.

‍Corporate Responsibility

• I know if we have a 501(c)(3) exemption or a 501(c)(6) exemption.
• I know if we are a for-profit or not-for profit corporation.
• I understand the purpose of a Conflict of Interest Statement.
• Our bylaws are intact and completely up-to-date.

Suggested Tip: Use a designated annual meeting or designate one board meeting each year to review, revise, update, and complete appropriate corporate documents to maintain compliance with IRS regulations and nonprofit best practices.

‍Finance

• I know the size of our budget.
• I know how much we have in reserve/savings.
• I understand the value of a periodic financial independent review.
• I know as a board member I assume fiduciary responsibility and I know what that means.

Suggested Tip: Check out the book written by Andy Robinson and Nancy Wasserman, The Board Members Easier Than You Think Guide to Nonprofit Finances (you can read it from cover to cover in an hour) and find examples and templates that are extremely useful.

‍Board Meetings

• I know the difference between governance and management.
• I understand our committee structure and its relationship to the board.
• I attend board meetings and actively participate.
• I expect meetings of the board to produce significant results.
• I prepare for meetings by reading advance reports and being accountable.

Board Member Role/Responsibilities

• I have read my board position description and agreed to its contents.
• I am actively participating on a committee.
• I make an annual personal donation to the organization.
• I secure funds to support the organization.
• I serve as an ambassador and include the organization in my professional credentials.

Suggested Tip: Keep accurate records of attendance at board and committee meetings and share that with the board regularly. It’s a surprising motivator!In addition to the tips suggested here, this Board Position Description template and this Board Basics Checklist are also excellent tools to employ.All of these preceding statements outline the expectations that need to be established by the board for its members. Make sure board members understand their obligations to the board and board meeting and set clear benchmarks for success.

Next Month

In February, we will discuss How to Activate Social Media with Fern Oram, KCOA Communications Coordinator followed by a March doubleheader: Calling All Treasurers with Vicki Burkhart, Kids’ Chance of America Executive Director, and Return on Investment (ROI) for Your Events with Cheryl Doucette, Accelerator Program Manager.

[fusion_separator style_type="single solid" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" sep_color="" top_margin="25" bottom_margin="30" border_size="" icon="" icon_circle="" icon_circle_color="" width="" alignment="center"][/fusion_separator]

#GiveBackBetter

Learn more about Kids’ Chance of America and the upcoming Give Back Better webinars, our dynamic forum for state-to-state exchanges that build on the best experiences, skills, and tools we all have to offer.