A nonprofit board supervises the organization’s fiduciary obligations and ensures its long-term sustainability. They ensure that your organization has the funds needed to accomplish its goals and ensure that it’s run ethically and legally, through the financial and governance policies. They also scrutinize and approve the performance of the executive director and compensation, as well as other key managerial issues.

Nonprofit boards usually include people who have connections to donors and other influential community members and who are committed to your cause and the goals it pursues. It is also important to find people who are detail-oriented so that they understand the big picture and how the pieces work together, as well as what needs to be done in each department and how it relates to the larger goals.

Board members should have a strong dedication to the organization and its mission, and should be prepared to dedicate considerable time and effort to meeting obligations. Additionally, they should be able to clearly articulate the value they add as trustees and the impact of their decisions. They should not be prone to gossip or rumor, and they shouldn’t try to gain favor with other trustees or employees by playing the game of favorites.

It is important that new board members are aware of their primary obligations. Many organizations conduct sessions of orientation to teach the new trustees on their legal and fiduciary responsibilities along with other governance practices. They can be supervised by fellow board members or your executive director.

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