Читать книгу Nonprofit Kit For Dummies - Stan Hutton, Beverly A. Browning - Страница 76

Getting members of a board to pull their weight sometimes seems like a problem that you can’t solve. Not every board member will contribute equally to the work involved in governing a nonprofit organization. If everyone on your board shows up at every meeting, reads all the materials, studies the financial statements, and contributes to fundraising activities, consider yourself fortunate.

Here are some techniques you can use to encourage full board member participation:

  Board contracts: Some nonprofits ask new board members to sign an agreement that outlines expectations for board service. The contract may include a commitment to contribute financially to the organization, attend all board meetings, and serve on one or more committees. Although board contracts aren’t legally binding, they provide a clear understanding of responsibilities for each board member. With a board contract, no one can say they didn’t understand what they were getting into when they joined the board.Check out File 3-4 at www.wiley.com/go/nonprofitkitfd6e for a sample board contract.

 Bylaws: Organizational bylaws can state the requirements for board participation. For example, a board member may face dismissal from the board after missing three consecutive board meetings.

 Job descriptions: Just like employees, board members often perform better when they know exactly what they’re supposed to do. Creating job descriptions for officers, committee chairpersons, and individual board members may clarify responsibilities and make them easier to fulfill. If a member isn’t pulling their weight, a committee chairperson should speak with that person and remind them of their responsibilities.

 Reliance on board members: Solicit opinions from members between board meetings. Use their expertise and recognize their contributions.

 Self-evaluation: Sometimes, encouraging a board to look at itself motivates board members or encourages those who aren’t pulling their weight to resign.

Board members fail to contribute equally to the work of the board because of time constraints, business travel, and just plain laziness. Cut each member some slack. But if a board member’s lack of participation impacts the full board, the decision is up to the board president (often, in partnership with the executive director) to ask the member to reconsider their commitment to the organization.

To a great degree, each board member’s work reflects their commitment to the organization’s mission. Board members who truly believe in what you’re doing will do everything they can to help you succeed.