Nonprofit Board of Directors – Is Yours Apathetic? 5 common problems and how to fix them
Despite different sizes, maturities, and purposes, many nonprofits suffer from boards that are too passive or disconnected. If the board of directors of your nonprofit organization is not enthusiastic about its role and the work of the organization, the organization cannot reach its full potential.
Board members often witness the symptoms of their discomfort, but cannot articulate the root causes and cannot offer solutions. Step away from your board of directors for a moment and read the list of issues below. Are you aware of these complaints? Can you imagine step by step through the solutions provided? Are there other steps you can take to strengthen your passive board?
Send this article to your board members today and start talking about possible solutions.
PROBLEM ONE Shifting Mission Scope Over time, we’ve started doing too much for too many people. We are no longer sure what our priorities are and where we should focus our time. Things get lost and the staff is overloaded.
RECOMMENDATION You are most likely too thin. Some of your programs may not be well managed. Discussions should take place with the board staff and staff. Make a complete list of all your programs. Decide on the focus of your organization. Make sure you have the resources to manage these programs well. Delete some projects or programs if necessary.
PROBLEM TWO The staff and the board are out of sync The board is working on some things, the staff is working on others, but one hand doesn’t really know what the other is doing. Sometimes it seems like we are out of control.
RECOMMENDATION Stop and evaluate what the staff is doing and what each of the board committees is doing. Assign staff members to appropriate board committees. Design a Report of the Executive Director’s Board that highlights the measurable results of the organization’s key programs and projects. Focus the efforts of the board staff and committee on the organization’s top priorities.
PROBLEM THREE The Executive Committee does it all It’s easier with fewer people. The Executive Committee may have a meeting prior to the board meeting and discuss, digest, and make recommendations to the rest of the board on most issues. Some board members are doing all the work, others don’t seem interested or involved.
RECOMMENDATION Phase out the Executive Committee over time and ask board committees to attend board meetings with clear and direct recommendations to the entire board. Expect more from every board member and train board committees so everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
PROBLEM FOUR There is no clear sense of where the organization is going. It appears that the organization is simply floating on water. We have no annual targets for staff or actions for the board. We just come to board meetings and hear the same thing every month. And we always seem to be worried about money.
RECOMMENDATION As a board, sit down with your executive staff and decide the three most critical changes that need to be made in the coming year. Decide how the board can support those activities (including fundraising) and how the board can monitor and support the progress and results you want to achieve.
PROBLEM FIVE The Board of Directors does not oversee the organization It seems that the staff is fine without us. We are not really sure what we should be doing. It’s hard to know what staff are doing and we don’t want to interrupt their work when they are so busy.
RECOMMENDATION Think about the 4 or 5 key programs or projects of the organization. Decide what facts, figures, and trends the board should review at each board meeting to provide oversight and support for your organization’s top priorities. Ask the Executive Director to attend board meetings armed with this information. At the same time, work more closely with the staff to begin discussing the future. Describe where you want to be in 5-10 years and determine how you can work together to make that future a reality.