Everyone agrees – well-led organizations do more good in the world than organizations that aren't well-led. But what about leadership change, how does that fit into the picture? Executive Transition: Trauma or Transformation? (©2011 Common Ground, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) will give you practices that reduce risk and boost positive change, even transformation, during transition.
A small collection of sample job descriptions for defining the Executive Director position. See also this Bridgespan toolkit for further samples and this Free Management Library resource for an overview of roles and responsibilities.
The evaluation of the Executive Director is the responsibility of a nonprofit's Board of Directors, as stipulated by the bylaws. These resources will guide the Board through the policies and procedures necessary to conduct an annual review.
This article from the Nonprofit Risk Management Center discusses the damage that "bad actor" board members can cause--ranging from short-term "fixable" issues to lasting harm that proves difficult to repair. In all cases, the solution is preventing bad behavior or poor performance wherever possible, and addressing it in a timely and effective manner when it occurs.
Example documents for finding sample language when drafting a Request for Proposals during the process of hiring executive search services to aid your organization with hiring a President/CEO.
The job of the nonprofit executive is one of the most rewarding. It's also among the most challenging, requiring a deep passion for the work and the ability to juggle competing demands, sustain multiple relationships, and manage a very possibly under-resourced infrastructure. Failed executive transitions often cause repeated executive turnover, loss of organizational focus and momentum, and extended periods of underperformance. This resource outlines how to approach executive transitions intentionally and mitigate these negative outcomes.
Investment Policies for Nonprofits - "The board of directors of a nonprofit has a fiduciary responsibility to protect the assets of the nonprofit and ensure that the nonprofit's operations and activities use the assets to further the nonprofit’s mission.
Financial Management - Basic principles of nonprofit financial management for nonprofit boards illustrated by the National Council of Nonprofits.
(Recursos similares disponibles en español.)
The Redwood Community Action Agency in conjunction with the Humboldt Area Foundation of northern California composed a short checklist of considerations when planning a multi- or bilingual meeting.
Few things are more satisfying to new board members than the realization that they have not only made a smart decision to join a board but that they can immediately begin to make meaningful contributions. And nothing fosters that certainty more than a dynamic, interactive board orientation.