Board Management 101
By Starsha Valentine
Partner and Mid-Atlantic Managing Director
An effective Board of Directors is a critical component of leadership for any nonprofit organization. For BIPOC-led organizations, the board’s roles, responsibilities, and engagement could be the difference between a sustainable future and an uncertain one. This month, we’ll take a look at six roles of the board and why their engagement is important for the health of your organization. Stay tuned to our LinkedIn Page for weekly highlights of board roles, why they're important, and how to navigate them.
3/7/2023 — Part 1 of 3:
When many BIPOC Executive Directors first encounter their boards, it’s often in the interview process. This power dynamic sets the stage for the relationship between the Executive Director and the organization’s governing body. But by building a mutually supportive partnership, boards and EDs can continue to advance the organization’s mission in an efficient and sustainable way.
Two of the most important areas to establish a strong partnership are Financial Oversight and Organizational Growth & Development.
Financial Oversight can sometimes be challenging for first-time BIPOC executive directors or founders with little experience in managing organizational budgets. Leaders can leverage the knowledge and experience of board members to chart a solid path forward for their mission while ensuring the organization has the financial capacity to do their work every day. Establishing a system of regular review before and during board meetings, builds strong trust and shared accountability for the organization’s health between the board and leadership.
Organizational Growth & Development is an important component of board and organizational leadership. By developing a strong strategic plan, in partnership with the board and other staff, BIPOC leaders can create a shared vision, mission, and goal. The strategic plan can outline the organization’s values, its systems change theory, its communications strategy, and its program objectives. Sharing this planning and implementation amongst the organizational leadership will advance the organization’s growth goals and sustainability while deepening its impact.
How have you partnered with your board in these areas? What are some ways you’ve been able to build a strong relationship with your board members?
3/16/2023 — Part 2 of 3:
Building upon last week's post, in addition to providing financial oversight and supporting organizational growth & development, the board also plays a critical role in the sustainability of the organization. Building a sustainable organization requires a collective commitment to Fundraising & Resource Development. This includes the board making a personal gift to the organization as well as leveraging their personal connections to build resources to support the organization’s mission. Executive directors and development directors can work directly with board members to make sure they have the necessary information and materials to fundraise for the organization.
Additionally, by supporting the regular review and update of Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures, board members ensure that the organization’s guiding documents are relevant to its mission, vision, and values. Board members and leadership should work together to update the Bylaws to not only reflect current needs of the organization, but also incorporate leading practices such as gender neutral pronouns and other inclusive language. Board members should review the employee handbook and other policy documents every 3-5 years to make any adjustments and values-alignment.
By working together, board members and organizational leadership can build a resilient, relevant, and sustainable organization.
4/11/2023: Part 3 of 3:
Everyone needs feedback – even the Executive Director. One of the most important roles of the board is to Evaluate the Executive Director. For BIPOC leaders, the power dynamic between leadership and governance can be challenging without a strong partnership with the board. Leaders have the opportunity, at the start of their tenure, to set clear goals, success measures, and intended outcomes for which they will then be evaluated on. By taking ownership of your work and time at the helm, your evaluation can be a time to strengthen your leadership or show areas in which to pivot. A strong mutual respect allows the board and ED to continue moving the organization forward towards its mission and strategic goals.
Lastly, the sustainability of leadership and governance relies heavily on the ability of the board to Recruit, Engage, and Evaluate itself. Just as board members hire and evaluate the Executive Director, they should take the lead on recruiting, engaging and evaluating their fellow members. BIPOC leaders should work collaboratively to create the process, ensure it is outlined in the Bylaws, and dedicate staff time to support the board in its own self management. A strong board with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and processes will ensure the impact and legacy of the organization reaches its full potential.