Qualities of a “Dynamic Board” Presenters: Candace Plants, Kathy McGoldrick, Don Jones
Feb 23, 2016
Qualities of a“Dynamic
Board”Presenters: Candace Plants, Kathy McGoldrick, Don Jones
Types of Boards and Opportunities for Volunteerism• Not-for-Profit• For Profit• Citizens Task Force• Steering Committees• Advisory Boards• Community Groups• Government• School Boards• Etc.
How For-Profits Differ From
Not-For-ProfitsFor-Profits
Owned by stockholders Generate money for the
owners Success is making
sizeable profit Board members are
usually paid Members can make very
sizeable income
Not-For-Profits Owned by the public Serve the public Success is meeting needs
of the public Board members are
usually unpaid volunteers Members should make
reasonable, not excessive income
How For-Profits Differ From
Not-For-ProfitsFor-Profits Money earned over and above
that is kept as profit and distributed to owners
Chief Executive Officer is often on the Board of Directors, sometimes as President
Usually not exempt from paying federal, state/provincial, and local taxes
Money invested in the for-profit usually cannot be deducted from the investor’s personal tax liability
Not-For-Profits Money earned over and above
should be spent soon on meeting the public needs
Conventional wisdom suggests that the Chief Executive Officer should not be on the Board
Usually exempt from paying federal, state/provincial, and local taxes
Money donated to the nonprofit can be deducted from the donor’s personal tax liability
Ten Roles and Responsibilities
• Determine the Organization’s Mission Purposes
• Select the Chief Executive• Support the Chief Executive and
Assess His or Her Performance• Ensure Effective Organizational
Planning• Ensure Adequate Resources• Manage Resources Effectively
Ten Roles and Responsibilities
• Determine, Monitor, and Strengthen the Organization’s Programs and Services
• Enhance the Organization’s Public Standing
• Ensure Legal and Ethical Integrity and Maintain Accountability
• Recruit and Orient New Board Members and Assess Board Performance
As an agency director, what are you looking for from your
board members• Become knowledgeable about the
organization• Be passionate about organization’s mission• Contribute ideas and experience• Maintain integrity and help achieve goals• Be willing to challenge the status quo• Do not be afraid to ask stupid questions• Willingness to learn• Cross-section of personalities and talents
How do you become involved with a board that fits with your values and schedule?
• Personal Strengths and contributing• Interests, importance, and personal
beliefs• Time, frequency, and duration of
meetings• Volunteer to organization prior to joining
the board• Networking with other contemporaries to
identity opportunities
Think about:
How do boards and agency leaders work together to create a vibrant and dynamic board experience?
• Expect Diversity - a variety of opinions and talent
• Generate enthusiasm around a common goal
• Actively engage in decision making processes
• Carry out action steps towards goals• Agree to disagree• Share facilitation roles as individual
experiences allow
How can board members contribute in healthy and meaningful ways?• Match task with talents• Utilize quality instructional tools and
training• Mentor new board members• Show board members that they are
valued• Use personal and professional position to
gain support for organization (donations, volunteers, etc.)
• Board members should also personally support the organization
Some Final Thoughts• To everything there is a season. There is
a time to join and a time to go.• Keep our noses in and our fingers out .• Have I told you lately that “ I Love
You!”.• The art of being disagreeable.• Know what your organization does and
whom it serves.• Never miss an opportunity to say
something good about your organization.
• Make your organization a top priority.• Practice due diligence.• Go beyond compliance. Do the right
thing• The mark of a good leader is knowing
when to follow.
Final Thought
Humility, a sense of humor, and not taking yourself too seriously have their places in
the boardroom
Questions?
Thoughts?
Applause!!