Good governance is essential to the success and sustainability of nonprofits. However some nonprofit boards do not perform well. In fact, a poorly managed board can cause the organization to fail. Whether your nonprofit is just beginning its journey or has been around for some time, ensuring the www.mindboardroom.com/5-most-common-nonprofit-governance-models/ board’s effectiveness can help it face challenges and achieve long-term success.
The most important task of a non-profit board is developing a strategic vision. The board should be comprised of people who are willing to invest the time and effort required to accomplish this goal. This requires a comprehensive selection process to find the ideal mix of backgrounds, skills, and experiences. It’s important to provide training and support to both new and veteran members of the board when they work together and make decisions at the highest level regarding the non-profit.
When the board puts a high priority on strategic tasks, they should be able trust the executive director with the day-today activities of the non-profit. Nonprofits must avoid relying solely on board committees to perform operational tasks, as this can result in a lack of accountability and inefficient decision making.
If a board of a non-profit organization is not governed by an official CEO, it typically operates under the Cooperative Governance Model. This is a highly democratic model that allocates power equally among the board members. It is ideal if the board members demonstrate equal dedication to the organization and are willing to hold each other responsible for their actions. To minimize conflicts of interest the non-profit should draft a clearly written conflict of interest policy and be sure to discuss it regularly with the board members.
