Not understanding the distinction between the full board and individual board members is not only a BoardSource pet peeve, but that of many in (or at the service of) the nonprofit world. This Nonprofit Quarterly article by Simone Joyaux does a great job of explaining why.

One example used, that of fundraising, was of particular interest given a recent experience with a client whose board member felt this was optional, or at least dependent upon how well they understood the entity (and could thus advocate) on its behalf. The kicker is they made themselves frequently unavailable towards that goal, resulting in a circular argument and justification for not fundraising. 

There is nothing wrong with joining a board to shore up one's resume or 'give back', but true cred as a community stakeholder comes from a commitment to leadership and planting those seeds.

The Matrix Map is a visual tool that plots all of the organization's activities-not just its programs-into a single, compelling image. By illustrating the organization's business model-through a picture of all activities and the financial and mission impact of each one-it supports genuinely strategic

Click for full article at Nonprofit Quarterly, and suggestions about how to make a matrix map of your organisation.


This article is adapted from sections in Nonprofit Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability by Jeanne Bell, Jan Masaoka, and Steve Zimmerman. It was originally posted on blueavocado.org in two parts.

I’m not a fan of this politically incorrect title, though it is illustrative of the need to create a well-balanced board with not only leadership but understanding. As we’ve acknowledged, nonprofits attract board members who want to make a difference.

It’s a good thing to have members with passion for your mission, but a side effect of highly motivated leaders is strong ideas with egos to match. Not necessarily bad, but if a member disregards board orientation efforts and materials and declares they have the solution, the challenge is in keeping everyone on task instead of retreading. The prudent leader will take the time to understand the entity’s history, why something was done or tabled, and other information or data which can illuminate next steps.

It is also tempting to become sequestered in an ivory tower. In smaller agencies where staff is minimal or nonexistent, this means little or no work might get done.

To overcome this obstacle, you need the three Ws in your board members: wisdom, wealth, and work. It is the rare person who brings multiple qualities in one neat package, but it’s essential to have all three in varying mixes. Visionaries might get to create the agenda, but vision without action is a daydream. Workers can get the job done, but action without vision is a nightmare. Wealth is an extension of work, in that financial resources help the organisation accomplish goals which would be otherwise impossible or extremely cumbersome.

Set clear expectations which welcome vision, but not to the exclusion of action. Effectively use those who are task-oriented but not capable of rising fully to the level of strategic leaders.

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From "How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Nonprofit Hell"

The BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer (BCGT) programme is an exclusive, professional development course that prepares a group of expert trainers. Selectees have to complete a rigorous application and certification process in order to be chosen. There are typically less than 30 nonprofit experts nationally invited to participate, and I was selected for one in Los Angeles earlier this month.

After completing training, I returned home to learn I successfully passed the programme and was formally invited to become a BCGT. I am the first and only designee to deliver BoardSource's signature nonprofit governance trainings in the Pacific Northwest region and Alaska. The approved curriculum includes the following areas: roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, board-staff partnership, board structure, board's role in fundraising, the board-building cycle, and board performance assessment.

Though I have used and referred clients to BoardSource® materials for decades, I am pleased my training will further enable me to continue offering highly recognised and proven techniques and best practises to advance the nonprofit ecosystem.

The icing in this experience was the strong and enjoyable bonds made with the 23 other candidates, but also attending Board Leadership Forum 2013 (BLF|13) with nearly 800 global leaders. There is something to be said for the energy of rooms packed with seasoned professionals who share a common goal and purpose: to improve 'the impact of nonprofit boards and the unique role they play in advancing the public good'. The energy remained high between nonprofit board members, chief executives, staff, funders, corporate social responsibility leaders, researchers, and consultants committed to building effective nonprofit boards, and, in turn, strengthening nonprofit organisations and the communities they serve.

It was also at once amusing, intriguing, and frustrating to acknowledge that despite an overwhelming availability of workshops, books, webinars, consultants, whitepapers, classes, training, coaches, and conferences...many of us (and our clients) continue to struggle with the same issues. Why indeed?

Whereas it was previously said one had to repeat a message at least ten times to get through, in today's high tech world it is exponentially more challenging to penetrate the fire hose of information and distractions. In order to have true impact, data has to be relevant, actionable, and concise. There are certainly many nonprofits that have successfully achieved their mission and increased effect, and I look forward to providing meaningful and sustainable contributions for my current and future clients.

"How To Avoid The Pitfalls Of Nonprofit Hell" is live in the Kindle Store and available for readers to purchase here. Stop on by and grab yourself an e-copy!

Usually, when diversity is introduced as a necessary component of well-functioning boards, the reference is to token racial placements or public appeals to selected demographics the organisation serves. The value of reaching a significant or relevant contingent shouldn’t be ignored, but  presuming such a candidate will automatically address this need based on surface appearances or presumed similarities can backfire.

More important are board members who bring a wide range of valuable expertise to the board. Law, finance/accounting, business, entrepreneurial, process or organisational management, communications, fundraising, and compliance are just some examples of the critical skillsets which bring effective representation to nonprofit boards.

It is an unfortunate circumstance that we don’t always get to be choosy regarding who shows up for board service, especially in smaller organisations. Here it is best to extract the cream from the crop of applicants.