They are volunteers, too!
Look here for information and the latest techniques to develop your board or committee. The purpose is to help those who work or serve on nonprofit boards of directors or committees.

~ July 2006 ~ Topic

We all know it's essential for the board to fulfill its legal obligations. But it's also essential to go beyond that. Otherwise creativity and innovation can fall by the wayside.

It is up to the board to determine the priorities of the organization. "First things first; second things not at all" as Peter Drucker once said.

It is board members who approve the program and are responsible for making sure it is implemented and evaluated. This means fund raising, committee membership, networking, advocacy and appropriate other "work" (not just oversight), depending on the size of the organization's paid staff.

This is the part of the job that is most exciting, and it is it that that will sustain the board member's enthusiasm and creativity.

Jeanne Bradner can be reached at Jeannebrad@aol.com.

See our online bookstore for Jeanne Bradner's book on boards: The Board Member’s Guide: A Beneficial Bestiary and Leading Volunteers for Results: Building Communities Today, and Passionate Volunteerism.