Board Development

How do you move your board from operational focus — or disengagement — toward active oversight? Start with these 4 steps.

The question I hear most often about boards is "how can I get my board more engaged?" or "how can I get my board members to engage?" It takes a lot of time, patience, and hard work to turn an ineffective board into an effective one, but it can and does happen. These four tips will help you start your journey toward a more effective board.

The board guides both the thinking and execution in the strategic planning process to guide the organization’s future. Five actions fulfill this role.

As described in our last post, a strong board-led evaluation process transforms how a board and its executive director work together. It ensures alignment, builds trust, and keeps the organization moving forward with clarity and purpose. While each nonprofit may tailor its process, the best evaluations share the following 7 steps that combine structure with respect.

A 30-45 second explanation of your organization and why it's important, an elevator pitch provides an important tool for educating the public about your organization. When created with your leadership team, board and staff, it also empowers them to both better understand your organization and to share a consistent message with their friends and network.

Effective leadership drives mission success. When the executive director leads with clarity, integrity, and purpose, the organization thrives. Like every employee, even the most talented leader needs regular and structured feedback, direction, and accountability to continue to grow personally and professionally and strategically move the organization forward. For a nonprofit, the board alone carries that responsibility. These five reasons explain how board-led evaluations of your chief executive will reap long-term benefits for your organization.

At a meeting back in February, my staff and I talked about some of the likely challenges with which we thought our clients lived after the barrage of executive orders that the current administration had released at that time.

As executive orders and funding freezes began to feel more common, we started collecting data in a quarterly Federal Grant Impact Survey. Today's blog post highlights are most recent findings and the state of Quad Cities nonprofits today.

Last week, I had the honor of cohosting the inaugural Table Talk session of the OneTable QC initiative, a joint venture between Wastyn & Associates and the Quad Cities Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The event brought together nearly 60 local nonprofit leaders from various sectors to discuss their realities in the current political and economic environment, to share what they anticipate as the various elements of the Reconciliation Bill get implemented, and to brainstorm ways to minimize these impacts on their organizations and the people they serve.

Having advocates on your board does not happen overnight nor does it happen by osmosis or chance. You have to prepare them. These 5 tips can help you grow a more advocating board.

Too often board members and organizations define "conflict of interest" too broadly which may preclude some highly qualified board members from serving on your board. Learn what a conflict is and isn't and how you can protect yourself and your organization from a potential conflict.

Here are 6 ways your board can help navigate change in your organization.

Nonprofit executives do not need to navigate these ever-changing and chaotic times alone; that's part of your board's role. Learn four ways that you can leverage the power for your board to help you and your organization during this time.

By applying appropriate conflict management strategies, you can more effectively guide conflicts toward positive resolutions that strengthen your relationships and improve organizational dynamics.

4 ways to make new board members feel welcomed, informed, and prepared to contribute effectively to your nonprofit's mission.

When you know your organization needs to change, you need staff ready, willing, and able to implement that change. But I'm a firm believer that change doesn't happen to people, it should happen with people. Learn how and why to get your staff prepared for change and how to effectively engage them in the change process.

8 reasons why it's importance to have term limits for your board.

Ask these 10 questions to recruit the best board and board members for your organization.

Read my top 4 benefits of taking time for professional development, whether in person or virtually, to recharge and grow in your profession.

Learn how you can and should leverage your executive committee for the good and growth of your organization.

This week we explore the role of the governance committee and whether your organization's board should have one. (Hint: YES!)

Try the flipped agenda to get your board more engaged and improve your organization.

The final of seven different dysfunctions of a board we address in this series, see how having a functional can take your organization to new heights.

The sixth of seven different dysfunctions of a board we address in this series, here are 4 ways to fix bad decision making.

The fifth of seven different dysfunctions of a board we address in this series, here are 4 ways to fix bad decision making.

How to use your board committees to maximize your organization’s effectiveness.

If you have the charge to facilitate a board meeting – or any conversation – these tips will help you get the best out of every board member while making them feel a part of the conversation and the decision.

The fourth of seven different dysfunctions of a board we address in this series, here’s why strong committees make strong boards.

The third of seven different dysfunctions of a board we address in this series, try these tips if your board struggles to make decisions.

Investing in others and developing trusted relationships can help you be more productive.

The second of seven different dysfunctions of a board we address in this series, a board usually micromanages for these fixable reasons.