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August, 2004 -by Peter C.
Brinckerhoff
This Month's topic:
Governance
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A new resource for
you!
Problem: There is so much going
on in our field that a once-a-month communication doesn't seem adequate.
Moreover, with a single monthly topic in the newsletter, what do I do if I hear
something important about, say, Governance (this month's topic) in
September? How do I get the information out to you?
Solution:
The Mission-Based Management
Blog. I am trying to post every day with something of value to
nonprofit board, staff, volunteers, and funders.
Check it out, see if
you find things that can help you. My postings are in no particular order, just
what's on my mind, or what has crossed my desk or monitor that I think you
should be aware of.
And, like any blog, you can comment right on the blog
for others to see. If you agree, disagree, or have other resources to share,
please do! |
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| This Month's Topic: Governance |
Each month, this area provides with a
number of my favorite and most helpful sites regarding the topic of the month.
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Management
Tip of the Month
Each issue, I start with a discussion
of my management perspective on the month's topic, and give you a few hands-on
ideas to consider. |
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Recommended Publications
Here, I provide you with my
recommendations on the best printed materials available that can help you
become more mission-capable in the area of Governance. |
Technology
I provide you with some good ideas for
uses of tech to better your organization in the area of
governance.
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Marketing
Tip
So much to say, so little space to say
it.....
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Next
Issue
In September, as we close in on the election
we'll look at issues surrounding Political Activities.
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Websites of the
Month
This section includes websites of interest on this
month's topic, Governance. I urge you to give each a look, as they often cover
different areas or have a different focus on the topic area...
Back to
Top
Management Tip of the Month
Managing Your Board? The Board Managing
the Organization? Neither is good.
With the possible exception of fund-raising,
no topic in the not-for-profit lexicon generates more publications, more
conference workshops, and more angst among staff and governing volunteers than
the issue of, and the issues surrounding, governance.
I could spend 20
pages on governance just as it relates to management issues, but in this space
I want to highlight three major issues for you to consider, discuss, and
pursue. The first issue is directed at the staff, the second at the board, and
the third at both groups.
1. For Staff: Having a high quality
board of directors, whose members attend meetings, do their homework, ask
insightful questions, and don't immediately agree with everything the staff
suggests, is a good thing. It is good for the staff, good for the organization
and, most importantly, good for the people you serve. The entire structure of a
not-for-profit is supposed to be a check and balance. For the board to be an
effective check and balance they need to be continually educated, well
supported by good staffing, and encouraged to learn more about the entire
organization. All those are staff responsibilities. As a former Exec myself, I
will confess to thinking that, "without the board asking all these silly
questions, I could actually get stuff done". Don't fall into that trap. A good
steward uses all the resources at his or her disposal to get more mission out
the door. The board is a key resource.
2. For Boards: You are a
check and balance, and you are a group of stewards. Think of yourself as on a
see-saw. On one side is the staff, doing the management of the organization. On
the other side is you, the board, doing the policy part of the work. Your job
is policy, not management. Policy questions are things like: Should we expand
our program base to a new community? Should we add a new location? What is our
organizational strategy? Policy includes planning, budgeting, keeping up with
new developments that affect the organization. Policy is NOT whether the
organization buys its supplies from Staples or Office Max. Policy is NOT what
hotel should host the annual meeting, or who should fill a certain mid-level
staff position, or whether the agency vehicles should have their oil changed
every 3,000 or 4,000 miles. Stick to policy. If the staff are doing a bad job
at management, get new staff. But don't become managers. If you do, everyone is
sitting on the management side of the see-saw, the the organization is out of
balance.
3. For boards and staff: My vote for most
dangerous trend in our field in the past 10 years? The trend to have more and
more board time filled with only fund-raising, and to having recruitment for
open board slots focussing on fund-raising ability. A board needs a huge
skillset, including people who know how to raise funds. But if the only
skill on the board, or the only skill that is being recruited, is
fund-raising, the entire concept of check and balance goes out the
window.
Remember:
- There should always be people with
fund-raising skills on a board of an organization that does fund-raising.
- All board members need to participate in
fund-raising events (through attendance, donation or other participation),
again for not-for-profits who seek donations.
- Boards need a diverse set of skills and
backgrounds to help the organization thrive.
The trend of seeking mostly or all fund-raisers
for the board is creeping out from the arts (where it is most prevalent) to
other sectors such as education and human services. Don't fall victim to it.
Keep your board diverse, and your organization will be stronger. Remember that
strong, vital, high-quality organizations are easier to raise money
for.
If you found this hint helpful, there are
lots more management, marketing, and technology ideas for you in the "Ideas"
section at www.missionbased.com.
Check them out--they're free.
Back to
Top
Print Resources
My top recommendations in Governance are
shown below. All are excellent tools. This is an area replete with options,
including books, workbooks and videotape, so if you don't find what you like
here, check at Amazon, at your local MSO, or United Way, or Community
Foundation. There is help out there for you!
If you want more information on these
recommendations, click on the cover image and you will go the page about the
book on Amazon.com. There, you can look at more info about the book, and read
some reviews before you decide whether or not to purchase or look for this book
at your local library.
Note: If you want more
recommendations on publications in a wide variety of areas, including
governance, go to the publications section of my website:
http://www.missionbased.com/publications/recommendedboards.htm
Again, If you don't find enough choices there, type
"nonprofit governance " in the Amazon.com search box on the left hand
side of the page and you'll have more choices than you probably
want!
Back to
Top
Technology Ideas .
Technology and Governance
Technology can really help with governance.
No, you can't get software with board AI (artificial intelligence) modules.
Nice try. Seriously though, tech can be a great help as the staff works to keep
the board informed, up to speed and acting together.
If you don't already have it, put together a board
specific part of your website, one that is passworded only for your board
members. Include all kinds of information on this part of your site that board
members could use (and regularly ask them what else they want--see the
marketing tip below)
Such information could include;
- Name, address, home and work phone, email, cell
phone of all board members, as well as who serves on which committee, name of
spouse and children, if any, date that the member's term expires.
- Organizational chart of the organization with the
name and picture of the staff in charge of each area. Remember to include staff
email addresses and direct phone numbers or extensions.
- List of all upcoming committee and board meetings
and the tentative agenda.
- Minutes of the organization's board and
committees for the past 12 months.
- A copy of the current audit, current budget, and
current strategic plan.
- Bylaws of the organization.
- A list of funding sources, and their focus.
- A description of each of the main programs of the
organization.
This kind of information can keep a board better
informed, more involved and save many questions at board and committee
meetings.
You might also consider having a similar part of
your site for your staff, but start with your board. And remember not to
technologically exclude any board members you may have who do not have regular
access to the internet. Also, hold a few training sessions for board members on
how to best use the website, and keep in touch with them about ways that you
can provide more information.
If you found this hint helpful, there are lots more
management, marketing, and technology ideas for you in the "Ideas" section at
www.missionbased.com. Check them
out--they're free.
Back to
Top
Training
Schedule for Peter Brinckerhoff
Below you'll see the date, location, and topics
of training I'm scheduled to do in the next three months. (August is when I go
to training for myself, including the Alliance for Nonprofit annual conference,
so that's why there are no listings for this month.) For more information on a
particular speaking engagement, get in touch with the contact person listed in
the right hand column, or email me.
For more information on my availability throughout
the next 12-18 months, available topics, sample agendas, and fees go to
www.missionbased.com/training.htm
Marketing Tip
Your board of directors are a crucial
market. Are you treating them that way?
Ask, ask, ask and then listen! If you have read my
books, or heard me speak, you know that this is one of my favorite marketing
mantras. And, it applies to your board just as it does to your other key
markets.
Boards are volunteers. They don't have to
come prepared to your meetings. In fact, they don't have to come to your
meetings at all. They come because they want to, and it is your job on
the staff to make them continue to want to.
Ask your board members what more you can do to make
their board service more meaningful, to make it more worth the time they so
generously give to your organization. You want to make the board meeting a
highlight of their month, not the low point.
As an example, for the past four years, I have the
privilege to serve on the board of a family camp that my family and I have
attended since I was a child. The 2 day-long board meetings (both held in New
Hampshire) and the in-between conference calls and paperwork are a highlight of
my entire year. I look forward to them. Why? Because the staff and other board
members are so enthusiastic about the camp, and because the camp managers give
us so much meaningful work to do. The meetings are not perfect, and we often
have difficult issues to resolve. But we are informed, involved, and our
service is respected.
Good marketers know to ask what people want of all
their markets. Board members are a key market, so talk to your board
individually and as a group. Have your board leadership talk to other board
members, and always remember to talk to potential board members early in the
recruitment process about their vision for their future board service. It can
really help you to learn what the new members need and expect from their time
with you.
Ask, Ask, Ask, and then Listen!
If you want to see more about this in detail, take
a look at more about my book
Mission-Based Marketing; Second
Edition
If you found this hint helpful, there are lots more
management, marketing, and technology ideas for you in the "Ideas" section at
www.missionbased.com. Check them
out--they're free.
Back to
Top
Future Topics in 2004
and 2005 for the Mission-Based Management
Newsletter....
| September |
Political
Activities |
| October |
Increasing
Involvement of Younger Staff, Board, and Volunteers |
| November |
Outcome
Measurement |
| December |
Life-Long
Learning |
| January |
Strategic
Planning |
| February |
Leadership |
| March |
Core
Competencies |
| April |
Expanding to New
Markets |
| May |
Endowments |
| Send me
your topic suggestions at peter@missionbased.com |
Back to Top
You asked, so here they are:
Past Single-Topic Issues of the Mission-Based Management Newsletter...
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Copyright 2006,
Corporate Alternatives, inc. |
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