The role of nonprofit boards is essential to the governance of non-profit organizations. They’re responsible for strategic planning and oversight, and financial stewardship. The Board is accountable for ensuring that the organization’s transparency to donors and community members. This isn’t an easy task. The Board faces many challenges, which require a significant commitment of time and resource from the board. This is why it’s important to include the appropriate people on your Board.
A strong board is made up of individuals with a variety of backgrounds, skills and perspectives that are aligned with the mission of the organization. This gives the Board with a broad range of experience and knowledge to make informed decisions and guide the organization in the right direction. The Board should assess its own performance and effectiveness and offer ongoing training.
The Board should also be detail-oriented and comprehend the bigger picture. This means assessing the extent to that the financial activity is accordance with the budget as well as determining the costs of programs and services, and if they are appropriate costs, and implementing internal controls to prevent theft, loss, or confusion.
The Board should be able to serve as ambassadors and advocates of the organization. They must assist the Executive Director in creating and sustaining the public image of the organization. They should be accessible to the media as well as the community, and willing to speak for the organization when necessary.