Insights from Starboard: Board Chair Companion

The Governance Affinity Group of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management recently published a report based on its survey of 635 nonprofit board chairs from across the country. As one of the few studies done specifically with board chairs, it sought to answer two research questions: “How do individuals prepare for their role as chair of …
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I have the good fortune of facilitating a monthly conversation with a group of first-time and relatively new nonprofit executive directors. After the first meeting, I asked them to identify topics on which we could focus future discussion. Not surprisingly (at least to me), the top choice was “the board and executive director relationship—effective relationships …
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No relationship is more important to the health of your nonprofit than the one between the Board Chair and the Executive Director, as each plays a critical role in your organization’s ability to engage its stakeholders and meet its mission. As a result, it is essential that your board and staff leaders view their relationship …
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I advise the nonprofits with which I work to dedicate at least one board meeting each year to reviewing the strategic plan and the organization’s progress towards their shared goals. This same meeting not only presents an opportunity for the executive director or president to present the key elements of the action plan for the …
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Imagine arriving at a new job at a new company and being shown to an empty office where there is an orientation manualon the desk. Your boss stops by to say, “Glad you are on board. See you at the next staff meeting.” And thatis it. It is up to you to figure out what …
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If you have ever been on a board with a board member who was a “bad fit,” you know how one person can change your perception of board service. You approach meetings with the secret hope that he won’t be there. You worry in advance about how he might react to the report you’ll be …
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