by Maureen K. Robinson (Author)
Praise for Nonprofit Boards That Work
"This book offers a refreshing and candid look at the challenges ofnonprofit boards. It moves away from theoretical frameworks to takeyou inside the real world of nonprofit organizations. . . . A mustfor any executive director who needs reassurance that buildingeffective boards is tough work, but well worth the effort."-SherryRockey, Executive Director, International Women's MediaFoundation "Maureen Robinson is uniquely qualified to help us understand theissues related to boards that are effective, those that are not, and why. It is certain that board members, potential board members, and executive directors who read this book will better understandtheir roles and responsibilities, and will be better able to avoidcommon pitfalls. As a result, the impact of their efforts on thosewhom their organizations exist to serve will be enhanced."-RonBurkard, Executive Director, World Neighbors As more than 10 million people in the United States alone say yesto board service, they also expect to see their time and talentsused effectively. This invaluable book presents a straightforwardapproach to understanding the role of the board, tailoring its workto meet the needs of specific organizations, and creating a cultureof board productivity that makes participation rewarding for boardmembers as well as the organizations they serve. Nonprofit BoardsThat Work:* Distinguishes between theory and practice and encourages boardsto explore how they genuinely add value to the work of theorganization
* Goes beyond the hows and whys of nonprofit governance to providefrank advice and real-world examples of what works, what doesn't, what requires a miracle, and what can be achieved through diligentand deliberate effort
* Offers practical yet flexible strategies that can be tried by anynonprofit board, whatever its current effectiveness . . . and much more to guide nonprofit organizations and theirboards toward accomplishing the goals they seek.
Front Jacket
Most people have an instinctive grasp of the role of the nonprofit board, a strong belief that it is "in charge" and keeping an eye on things. Beyond that basic insight, a deeper comprehension of the role of the board and the shape of its work loses focus, and the details become harder to express. That lack of focus is often as absent in the boardroom as it is among the general public.
Unlike their for-profit counterparts, a nonprofit board lacks indicators, such as a bottom line and share value, that would give the board clear direction about its major tasks and demonstrate how best to organize itself to get these tasks accomplished. Armed with goodwill and dedicated to serving the best interests of an organization, boards either make it up as they go along, hoping that common sense and good intentions will see them through, or follow a set of prescriptions for good governance that fail to acknowledge what is unique about their particular organizations. Neither strategy succeeds in making a board the asset it could be and should be in the life of the organization.
Nonprofit Boards That Work shifts the focus, encouraging boards to look first at the particulars of the organization before determining the best approaches to effective governance. It asks a board to define its role and derive its value from understanding what is specific and unique about the organization and then to align itself and its work in ways that make it an asset in the organization's life.
Nonprofit Boards That Work addresses issues of role definition, key responsibilities, working culture, structure, and leadership that boards must tackle if they are to play a meaningful part in helping a nonprofit to achieve success. Here is practical advice and effective yet flexible strategies that accommodate the many variables that shape a board's real work?organizational size, stage of development, the varying levels of skill and commitment encompassed within the board, the talent of the executive director, the quality of leadership, and the limits of time. Throughout the book, boards are encouraged to shed irrelevant formulas and mobilize their goodwill and latent abilities to become boards that work.
Back Jacket
Praise for Nonprofit Boards That Work
"This book offers a refreshing and candid look at the challenges of nonprofit boards. It moves away from theoretical frameworks to take you inside the real world of nonprofit organizations. . . . A must for any executive director who needs reassurance that building effective boards is tough work, but well worth the effort."-Sherry Rockey, Executive Director, International Women's Media Foundation
"Maureen Robinson is uniquely qualified to help us understand the issues related to boards that are effective, those that are not, and why. It is certain that board members, potential board members, and executive directors who read this book will better understand their roles and responsibilities, and will be better able to avoid common pitfalls. As a result, the impact of their efforts on those whom their organizations exist to serve will be enhanced."-Ron Burkard, Executive Director, World Neighbors
As more than 10 million people in the United States alone say yes to board service, they also expect to see their time and talents used effectively. This invaluable book presents a straightforward approach to understanding the role of the board, tailoring its work to meet the needs of specific organizations, and creating a culture of board productivity that makes participation rewarding for board members as well as the organizations they serve. Nonprofit Boards That Work:
- Distinguishes between theory and practice and encourages boards to explore how they genuinely add value to the work of the organization
- Goes beyond the hows and whys of nonprofit governance to provide frank advice and real-world examples of what works, what doesn't, what requires a miracle, and what can be achieved through diligent and deliberate effort
- Offers practical yet flexible strategies that can be tried by any nonprofit board, whatever its current effectiveness
. . . and much more to guide nonprofit organizations and their boards toward accomplishing the goals they seek.
Author Biography
Maureen K. Robinson is a consultant who specializes in nonprofit governance and management. She was the director of education at the National Center for Nonprofit Boards for eight years. Prior to joining the NCNB, she organized executive searches at the Smithsonian Institution and was director of legislative programs at the American Association of Museums. She writes and speaks extensively on the topic of nonprofit governance, both in the United States and abroad.