IWF - ARCHES Workshop

The Incarnate Word Foundation

WORKSHOP ON BOARD AND ADVISORY GROUP DEVELOPMENT

A March 2000 workshop, conducted by Maggie Hourd-Bryant, ARCHS deputy director, focused on how nonprofit agencies can select and work with board members.

Key Board Responsibilities

Board members must believe in and help shape the organization's mission, Hourd-Bryant advised the participants. They must be leaders who will represent the organization well and command the respect of others. Other board responsibilities include:

Selecting the chief executive officer and reviewing her or his performance and compensation.
Planning the organization's strategic direction, perhaps for 5 to 10 years.
Obtaining and managing the organization's human and material resources. Board members should be active in helping the organization secure the goods and services it needs. "Think about what you have and what you need when asking people to be on your board," Hourd-Bryant said. She also advised having a financial manager on the board to oversee investments and other financial matters.
Monitoring the organization's services. Board members should look at community needs and change the organization's direction if necessary.
Arbitrating employee grievances. As the last step of the organization's grievance procedure, the board should oversee the chief executive's actions.
Evaluating its own performance. The board should review its expertise and effectiveness on a regular basis.

These responsibilities involve setting organizational policy, rather than overseeing the organization's day-to-day activities as the policies are implemented. Implementation is the role of the organization's staff, not the board.

Preparation for New Board Members

The board chairperson and the organization's chief executive should conduct an orientation session for new members, clearly explaining what is expected of them and the rules of board operation, such as attendance requirements.

A board manual is also essential. It should cover the board's policies and procedures and contain essential information about the organization's programs and plans, human resources policies, financial documents, and other information.

Board Committees

To avoid overburdening board members, most of whom are volunteers, the board may form committees to oversee specific functions--for example, fundraising, program development, financial management.

RESOURCE: Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards, National Center for Nonprofit Boards, Washington, DC, www.ncnb.org.

ARCHS (Area Resources for Community & Health Services) is a not-for-profit organization linking health and human services from seven state agencies with neighborhood/community planning and decision-making processes to improve family and community outcomes. (ARCHS: 4236 Lindell Blvd., Suite 400, St. Louis, MO 63108, 314-534-0022)