All posts in category Board Engagement

School Boards: Working from Within to Champion Change

KidsBy Lindsay Dworman, BoardSource strategic development and partnerships associate manager

Since the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony decreed in 1647 that every town of 50 families should have an elementary school and that every town of 100 families should have a Latin school, the public school system in the United States has been evolving. Over the past few decades, we have seen a great deal of innovation due to the public’s desire to see schools operate more effectively, consistently provide access to a quality education, and prepare our youth for the future.  The creation of a wide network of private, independent, and public charter schools is one example of innovation that has changed the education landscape of the United States.  But what happens when education is politicized and the various state and local jurisdictions that regulate these charter schools affect their capacity to increase student achievement and mission impact?

In a recent publication from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute — “Governance in the Charter School Sector: Time for A Reboot” — Adam Emerson asserts that the politicization of charter schools over the past 20 years has severely hindered charter school boards. Emerson believes that while schools continue to evolve, the regulations on governing those schools have lagged behind, leaving boards struggling under a structure that is simultaneously over-regulated and under-monitored. This battle raises two questions:

  • How do charter schools get institutions to amend regulations to catch up (and keep up) with the times?
  • What can school boards do to aid in that effort?

One answer is for boards to work from within; to take steps to develop their own efficacy. The education system isn’t often thought of as part of the nonprofit sector when in reality, it is. As such, schools require boards to effectively guide them and ensure that that they are working toward their missions. And while the governance challenges faced by charter school boards are significant, they are not unique. Nonprofit boards across the country face the same battles of accountability, conflict of interest, and oversight.

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by lindsaydworman on April 29, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Board Policies, Innovation, Oversight and Accountability, Strategic Planning and Thinking

Posted by lindsaydworman on April 29, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/04/29/school-boards-working-from-within-to-champion-change/

Meet the April Board Member of the Month!

4-24-13 BMotM DamienBy BoardSource

BoardSource and Points of Light are pleased to announce that Damien Davis is the April 2013 Board Member of the Month. BoardSource and Points of Light created the Board Member of the Month award to honor outstanding individuals for their commitment to advancing the public good through exceptional nonprofit board leadership.

Damien serves on the board of the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore, MD. Professionally, he is a research analyst with Brown Capital Management in Baltimore.

In nominating Damien for the Board Member of the Month Award, Kathleen Lester, board chair of the Downtown Sailing Center, noted the following:

“When I look back at 2012 and think about the challenges we overcame — a financial crisis, a financial restructuring, three executive director turnovers, and a major transition in board members — I know it would not have been possible without Damien Davis.

Damien joined the board of directors of the Downtown Sailing Center in January 2012, serving on the finance committee. When our treasurer moved out of state, Damien graciously stepped up, joining the executive committee as treasurer in July 2012 after only six months. He quickly reviewed our financial processes and made adjustments to ensure a series of checks and balances were in place to reduce errors and increased the integrity of our finances. Through Damien’s leadership and commitment, we have gone from an organization barely understanding our finances, scraping by from one year to another, to an organization that has a clear understanding of how we operate, makes informed decisions, and is saving money in 2013….Most important, Damien has forced us to look at our own financial information as a set of questions and challenged us to take ownership for what we want to become as an organization….

In March 2012, our executive director resigned, and his replacement resigned taking a new job in September. Damien agreed to serve on the search committee, dedicating even more hours to the Downtown Sailing Center to ensure that we found the right person for the job. Through a long and arduous process, we emerged in January with a wonderful executive director, who will carry us into the future. Damien’s dedication to this process was significant….

Damien continues to be dedicated to our work and our mission. He regularly checks in with staff to ensure that morale is high and works to resolve any issues that arise; he is a leader within the executive committee, approaching issues with thoughtfulness and recommending or supporting appropriate solutions; he is involved with our members, attending member meetings and socials; and he participates in our outreach programming, as well as making significant donations.

In short, Damien is one of the finest leaders within the Downtown Sailing Center. We would not have made it through the tumultuous 2012 without Damien on our team.”

Recently, BoardSource asked Damien a few questions about his board service:

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by BoardSource on April 24, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Board Meetings, Committees, and Structure, Chief Executive Transitions, Strategic Planning and Thinking

Posted by BoardSource on April 24, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/04/24/meet-the-april-board-member-of-the-month/

ADVOCACY: A Fundamental Responsibility of Board Leaders?

By Jennifer Deng, strategic development and partnerships director4-1-13

A few weeks ago, my colleague, Kate von Richthofen, asked if your board is having the crucial conversation about sequestration and its impact on your nonprofit.  This month, I ask you to think about the responsibility of your board members to do something more:  Advocate for your nonprofit organization’s mission.

Patrick Lester recently wrote  in The Nonprofit Quarterly, “The nonprofit sector is too vital to our democracy to remain silent on budget issues or any of the other major issues facing this nation.”

The sheer numbers generated by the nonprofit industry in the United States, the extent of its impact — both social and economic — makes Lester’s point crystal clear.

According to an Urban Institute brief summarizing The Nonprofit Almanac 2012, there were more than 2.3 million nonprofit organizations operating in 2010. Those organizations generated more than 9.2% of the wages and salaries paid in the United States and reported more than $2.71 trillion in total assets, $1.51 trillion in total revenue, and $1.45 trillion in total expenses. The revenue was generated accordingly:

  • 22% from contributions, gifts, and government grants
  • 73% from program service revenues, which include government fees and contracts
  • 5% from “other” sources including dues, rental income, special event income, and gains or losses from goods sold

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by jdeng77 on April 1, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Collaboration, Innovation, Mission and Vision

Posted by jdeng77 on April 1, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/04/01/advocacy-a-fundamental-responsibility-of-board-leaders/

Meet the March Board Member of the Month!

3-22-13 BMotMBy BoardSource

BoardSource and Points of Light are pleased to announce that Ellen Brown Landers is the March 2013 Board Member of the Month. BoardSource and Points of Light created the Board Member of the Month award to honor outstanding individuals for their commitment to advancing the public good through exceptional nonprofit board leadership.

Ellen serves on the board of the Georgia Justice Project (GJP) in Atlanta, Georgia. Professionally, she is a principal  in the Atlanta office of  Heidrick & Struggles, a global Leadership Advisory firm..

In nominating Ellen for this award, Doug Ammar, executive director of GJP, noted the following:

“Georgia Justice Project has one of the most active and engaged boards of directors in Atlanta…To stand out among one’s peers is an accomplishment at the highest level and Ellen Brown Landers does just that….

When GJP was facing major organizational challenges due to the recession starting in 2008, Ellen helped spearhead the charge with other board members and staff to ensure GJP’s viability and sustainability. Over the course of four to five years, Ellen’s unique blend of tactical, strategic and interpersonal intuition allowed GJP to achieve results, hone in and focus on what was important and rally the board and staff to make the hard decisions to adapt and change objectively….

If that weren’t enough, just as GJP was pivoting out of the recession, Ellen agreed to chair the GJP 25th Anniversary $5.2M capital campaign in 2011, which was of vital importance to support our 2010-2014 strategic plan.

From the beginning of Ellen’s service on GJP’s board, she has consistently leveraged her vast network of contacts for GJP’s benefit… Ellen Brown Landers is has been an exemplary board member.”

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by BoardSource on March 22, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Board Recruitment and Orientation, Board-Chief Executive Partnership, Collaboration, Mission and Vision

Posted by BoardSource on March 22, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/03/22/meet-the-march-board-member-of-the-month/

We want to thank…

2-25-13 logoBy Maureen Doherty, Strategic Development & Partnerships Manager, BoardSource

Happy International Corporate Philanthropy Day! Every February, CECP (Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy) leads this special advocacy day, which is intended to build awareness of corporate-community partnerships and inspire companies around the world to engage further in philanthropic initiatives — efforts that BoardSource applauds and supports.

Today seems to be the perfect time to express our appreciation for the many corporate leaders who partner with us to promote and inspire excellence in nonprofit board governance. These leaders recognize the key role that exceptional governance plays in advancing organizational effectiveness and are enabling BoardSource to advance further toward our mission of building exceptional nonprofit boards. Through their support, nonprofit leaders – and the sector as a whole – are better empowered and positioned to meet our nation’s most pressing social needs.

Thank you to our partners and corporate supporters:

  • BP America, Inc.
  • Capital One
  • Chevron
  • Con Edison
  • Corning Incorporated Foundation
  • Credit Suisse
  • Disney
  • General Mills
  • HSBC
  • John Deere Foundation
  • Kilpatrick Townsend
  • KPMG
  • Legg Mason
  • McGregor Fund
  • Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods, Inc.)
  • Prudential and the Prudential Foundation
  • Target
  • Time Warner
  • UPS Foundation
  • Xerox Foundation

How are these corporations supporting effective governance, and why is it so important? These leaders are

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by Maureen Doherty on February 25, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Diversity and Inclusion, Board Engagement, Board Recruitment and Orientation

Posted by Maureen Doherty on February 25, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/02/25/we-want-to-thank/

Meet February’s Board Member of the Month!

FebBlogPic 2-19-13By BoardSource

BoardSource and Points of Light are pleased to announce that Stephen Straughan is the February 2013 Board Member of the Month. BoardSource and Points of Light created the Board Member of the Month award to honor outstanding individuals for their commitment to advancing the public good through exceptional nonprofit board leadership.

Stephen serves as the board chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rockwall County, Texas. Professionally, he is the owner of Straughan Properties, LLC.

In nominating Stephen for the Board Member of the Month Award, Misti Carder-Potter, president & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rockwall County, noted the following:

“When Stephen took over the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rockwall County in 2010, the hand he was dealt came with enormous hurdles and obstacles, ranging from poor public perception, dismal programming, a dilapidated facility, and a history of staff and board challenges to battling a financially insolvent condition that lacked a plan or strategy to resolve itself….

As the leader of the board, he stepped up and dedicated countless hours to rectifying the challenges and problems the organization faced…[and] the organization, in less than 15 months, went from an insolvent, failing, destined to implode non-profit to one with a stable, consistent, positive bank balance, a board filled with influential doers, a Club busting at the seams with kids, and headed by a leader who has a passion for kids, a love for our community, and a business mindset that has launched the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County to the forefront of youth development throughout our community. The right person came along at absolutely the right time and his name is Stephen Straughan.”

Recently, BoardSource asked Stephen a few questions about his board service:

What inspires you to serve on this board?

It has to do with my childhood! I am dyslexic and, as a result, had major learning difficulties. This was back in the ‘60s, before dyslexia was addressed in schools as it is now. My mother worked with me and helped me with my homework, and it was through her work and her care that I was able to move on and go to college. Otherwise, I would have just fallen through the cracks and would not be where I am today. Knowing how important it is to have a mentor who really cares about you inspired me to step up and make a difference in another kid’s life.

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by BoardSource on February 20, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Board Recruitment and Orientation, Board-Chief Executive Partnership, Collaboration, Mission and Vision

Posted by BoardSource on February 20, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/02/20/meet-februarys-board-member-of-the-month/

Meet January’s Board Member of the Month!

1-15-13 blog BMotMBy BoardSource

BoardSource and Points of Light are pleased to announce that Sherri Anne Green is the January 2013 Board Member of the Month. BoardSource and Points of Light created the Board Member of the Month award to honor outstanding individuals for their commitment to advancing the public good through exceptional nonprofit board leadership.

Sherri serves as the board president of DC Ad Club. Professionally, she is the director of business development at LM&O Advertising in Arlington, VA.

In nominating Sherri for the Board Member of the Month Award, Carol Montoya, president of Potomac Management Resources, the DC Ad Club’s association management company, noted the following:

“Sherri has served on our board for six years…and was recently elected to a third year as president, a testament to how much her leadership is valued. When Sherri became DC Ad Club president in 2010, she had a vision for the club, the advertising community, and the club’s role and impact within that community. She set a goal of getting our members more engaged and making their membership more valuable. During her tenure, the club has undertaken a rebranding initiative, launched a members-only mentor program, held its two most successful Advertising Week DC conference, increased membership by 20 percent, held more than 50 programs to educate and connect the community, and won 13 Club Achievement Awards from our parent organization.”

“In total, during her service, Sherri is credited with raising almost $140,000 in sponsorships, accounting for 29 percent of total sponsorship revenue.”

“Soon after taking office, in an open letter to our members, Sherri asked them to email her with ideas, thoughts, and inspiration, both good and not-so-flattering. The result is an open dialogue between members and our organization’s top leader, and we learn how we are doing and how we can improve.”

Recently, BoardSource asked Sherri a few questions about her board service:

What inspires you to serve on this particular board?

I serve this organization because I believe in our advertising community. The DC region is often overlooked for the variety of industries we have, and advertising is one of those. We have a really vibrant and creative advertising community that’s made up of agencies, media, PR, technology specialists, photographers, and every other professional that touches the advertising industry. I’m really inspired to show off the contributions that we make as a key part of every business’s needs, and that’s their marketing and advertising.

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by BoardSource on January 16, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Board-Chief Executive Partnership, Collaboration, Mission and Vision

Posted by BoardSource on January 16, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/01/16/meet-januarys-board-member-of-the-month/

A Team Approach to Fundraising

1-14-13 teamBy Anne Wallestad, interim chief executive

Last week, CompassPoint and the Haas, Jr. Fund released “UnderDeveloped,” a new report focused on the state of nonprofit fundraising and – more specifically – the challenges that organizations face in recruiting and retaining strong development professionals and the underlying issues that often create those challenges.

As someone focused on the role of boards in leading their organizations and a former development professional, I read this report with great interest. But I think that the report didn’t fully acknowledge the role that fear of fundraising plays in development director success and retention. The report makes reference to a reality of which professional fundraisers are painfully aware: Most people are scared to death of fundraising and avoid it at all costs. The result is that development directors are often in the unfortunate position of trying to convince board members – and even chief executives – to do something that they hate.

According to BoardSource’s 2012 Nonprofit Governance Index, 40 percent of CEOs report that their board is reluctant to actively engage in fundraising. And, if you’re a development director reporting to a chief executive or working with a board that hates to fundraise, the options are quite limited: 1) Stay in the position and risk being blamed for poor fundraising results, or 2) Leave. No surprise, based on the data shared in the report, which was summarized in a Chronicle of Philanthropy article that appeared yesterday, many development directors are opting for the latter.

So what can boards and chief executives do to make sure that their organization doesn’t suffer from this all too common challenge? Well, the report offers a lot of great suggestions, and I would add a few more.

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by Anne Wallestad on January 14, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Development, Board Engagement, Board Recruitment and Orientation, Collaboration, Fundraising

Posted by Anne Wallestad on January 14, 2013

http://exceptionalboards.com/2013/01/14/a-team-approach-to-fundraising/

Meet December’s Board Member of the Month!

12-18-12By BoardSource

BoardSource and Points of Light are pleased to announce that George Brymer is the December 2012 Board Member of the Month. BoardSource and Points of Light created the Board Member of the Month award to honor outstanding individuals for their commitment to advancing the public good through exceptional nonprofit board leadership.

George serves on the board of Mobile Meals of Toledo. Professionally, he is president of All Square Inc., a leadership training business based in Toledo, OH.

In nominating George for the Board Member of the Month Award, Maureen Stevens, executive director of Mobile Meals of Toledo, noted the following:  “George’s insightful and cutting-edge vision has propelled our agency from a solid but relatively small organization to one that is recognized as a leader in the community willing to take on new challenges…George has served on almost every committee of the board, including two years as board president, one year as past-president, and 12 years as president of our Foundation board.”

His board achievements include

  • establishing the Mobile Meals Foundation, a support organization set up to ensure the organization’s long-term ability to serve the Toledo community
  • securing initial funding for the Weekender Program to feed Toledo’s low-income school children over the weekend
  • moving Mobile Meals from a program dependent on local hospitals for its product to a self-sufficient program with multiple vendors and food preparation and storage abilities
  • changing board meeting format from committee reports to 45 minutes of in-depth discussions on topics and issues affecting the organization

Recently, BoardSource asked George a few questions about his board service:

What led you to serve on the Mobile Meals of Toledo board?

I first worked with the organization through a community leadership project with another nonprofit. Later, a friend of mine who was a member of the board and who knew of my leadership experience, invited me to join the board as its president-elect. The person who had been president-elect was leaving the community. I was a little surprised, but I did it anyway. 

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by BoardSource on December 18, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Board-Chief Executive Partnership, Collaboration, Mission and Vision

Posted by BoardSource on December 18, 2012

http://exceptionalboards.com/2012/12/18/meet-decembers-board-member-of-the-month/

We have our first winner!

By BoardSource

Thousands of people give their time, talent, voice, and resources to help strengthen nonprofits, their communities, and the world through volunteer board service. Many go above the call of duty to effectuate change in their organizations and communities. E. Ethelbert Miller is one of those people, and BoardSource and Points of Light are pleased to announce that he is the first winner of the Board Member of the Month award!

BoardSource and Points of Light created the Board Member of the Month award to honor outstanding individuals for their commitment to advancing the public good through exceptional nonprofit board leadership.  In the first month, we received more than 65 nominations from highly qualified candidates; Ethelbert stood out.

Ethelbert serves as the board chair of  Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), a nonprofit think-thank that is located in Washington, D.C. In addition to serving IPS, he is an accomplished poet and director of Howard University’s African American Resource Center.

In nominating Ethelbert for this prestigious recognition, John Cavanagh, director of IPS, remarked, “Ethelbert is the best supervisor I’ve ever had. He pushes me. He throws out new ideas every week, and he follows up on them in our regular [monthly] meetings. He pushes the envelope of what think tanks should and can experiment with, and he pushes me to experiment…”

What more could an executive director ask for? Help reaching new audiences? Skill at running productive board meetings? Increased visibility for the organization? Fundraising assistance?  Ethelbert excels at all. Recently, BoardSource asked him a few questions about his board service:

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by BoardSource on November 20, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Board Engagement, Board-Chief Executive Partnership, Collaboration

Posted by BoardSource on November 20, 2012

http://exceptionalboards.com/2012/11/20/we-have-our-first-winner/

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