Good governance is essential to the sustainability and leadership of non-profit organizations. However, not all nonprofit boards function effectively. A poorly-managed board could even result in the organization’s demise. If your nonprofit is brand new or has been operating for a long time, making sure your board is in good working order can aid in overcoming obstacles and make progress over the long haul.

The most important task of a nonprofit board is developing a strategic vision. Nonprofits need to select board members that are willing and capable of putting in the time and energy needed for this job. This requires a thorough selection process to find the right mix of diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences. It is also crucial to ensure that both new and veteran board members receive training and support when they collaborate to make top-level decisions for the nonprofit.

When the board puts a high priority on strategic objectives, they should be able trust the executive director with the day-to-day operations of the non-profit. Nonprofits should not depend solely on board committees for the day-to-day tasks. This could result in inefficiency and a lack of accountability.

If a non-profit board doesn’t have an official CEO, it usually operates using the Cooperative Government Model. This is a highly democratic www.mindboardroom.com/how-to-host-successful-online-board-meetings/ model that distributes power equally between board members. It is ideal if the board members demonstrate equal commitment to the organization, and are willing to hold each other accountable for their actions. To avoid conflicts of interest the non-profit should draft an effective policy on conflicts of interests and discuss it regularly with board members.