A "Boards 101" book for trustees new to boards, for leaders of all-volunteer associations, or for anyone starting a nonprofit from the ground up. Ten well-known authorities (see table of contents below) explain state-of-the-art board practices with warmth and humor. Includes a chapter on "People Raising" by Susan J. Ellis, plus chapters on recruiting board members, fundraising, strategic planning, running meetings, legal issues, and technology. Enjoy the cartoon illustrations, too!

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(pp. 72-3, in chapter 4 by David LaGreca)

Axiom 3: Give board members a chance to learn something at each meeting.
Board members are volunteers and on-the job training is a hallmark of successful organizations. Try highlighting an aspect of your program at each board meeting. One organization includes a regular agenda item called FYI. Each month, the board receives a briefing on a different aspect of the organization’s programming. Another organization asks board members to visit at least two program sites each year – and schedules board meetings at these sites with tours of the facility before the board meeting. Yet another organization sends an article on the board’s role (in fundraising or fiscal accountability, for example) in each board packet and includes a short discussion of the article on the agenda. Knowledgeable board members are happy ones – and more apt to find new ways to assist the organization.

Table of Contents