It is important to know what is expected in order for a board member to fulfill his/her commitment to serve your organization. Make it clear by using this sample to outline what the duties and responsibilities would be required. (Blue Avocado)
Sample Board Member Contract
Smart nonprofits take risks—many risks—every day. Such organizations are creative, inventive, and continue to succeed despite the changing environment. These organizations know that success demands risk-taking, and they create an organizational culture that regularly assesses risk, favors intelligent risks, and mitigates the impact of known risks. (First Nonprofit Group)
Risk Management: Your Role as a Board Member
This article details the importance of having a process in place for recruiting and orienting new board members. By following this process, it becomes evident that recruiting board members is much like hiring a staff position. Orientation is crucial to an effective board and this article dives into what that process could look like. (Free Management Library)
Recruiting and Orienting New Members
Overviews of the general procedure for changing bylaws at a nonprofit organization:
How to Amend Nonprofit Bylaws by NOLO.com
How To Amend Bylaws: Everything You Need to Know by UpCounsel.com
How to Revise Your Bylaws by ForSmallNonprofits.com
This BoardSource blog post tackles the issue of proactive succession planning. Learn more about the board's role in preparation, leader development, and planning for the future of your organization.
In a meeting of the National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO), the National Council of Nonprofits heard directly from a panel of regulators about what conduct can spook state charity regulators into conducting investigations of charitable nonprofits. This resource provides valuable reminders of how nonprofits can maintain their tax-exempt status through fastidious legal compliance.
Personnel Policies Template - Use this Word file to shape your own organization's policies. Please note: The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits is providing this sample policy to serve as a starting point for your nonprofit's development of an appropriate policy for your organization.
If you have found a board member to be disruptive, unproductive, or otherwise harmful to your organization, but are unsure of what course to take, consider tips from this list of resources to help either improve or to remove board members. (Free Management Library)
How to build an effective executive committee by Joan Garry Consulting explores what how an ideal executive committee should function and what value it can bring to a nonprofit.
Committees help facilitate board's work; prepare board members for informed decision making; provide a mechanism to use all available skill and expertise; and offer hands-on opportunities to serve the organization. Committee members do not have the same liabilities as full-fledged board members. Their role is that of an advisor. They are chosen for the position because of their special interests or capabilities. How could others who are not full board members benefit the organization by serving on committees?