Successful Nonprofit Boards
3 major pitfalls for nonprofit boards
In my experience there are three major pitfalls that can affect the ability of a nonprofit board of directors to fulfill its duty and serve its organization. Pitfall 1 – lack of immediate feedback In many cases, nonprofit boards are dealing with matters whose results will occur sometime in the future—next month, next year, or…
Read MoreCriticizing a board decision in public
It is a basic principle of parliamentary procedure that the decision of the majority, voting at a properly called meeting, is the decision of the body as a whole. The members whose views did not prevail are bound to go along with the majority. This goes back deep in time, to the origins of our…
Read MoreWhat if your nonprofit board isn’t following its bylaws?
If your board isn’t following its own bylaws, here are some different approaches you can take. 1. Educate the board about liability The first step is to educate the board. Point out to them that bylaws are not a “suggestion,” they are mandatory. They form the foundation of how the entire organization functions. Failing to…
Read MoreExecutive committee cannot overturn board decision
A reader contacted us recently to ask whether the executive committee of his organization had the right to overturn a decision made by the full board. The answer is no, unless the bylaws give that right. Similarly, a board of directors may not overturn a decision made by the full membership. Robert’s Rules is very…
Read MoreDealing with difficult members
Have you ever wished that you could just throw a member out of your nonprofit organization? Some people are so challenging that we wish we could! Here are some tips for dealing with difficult members.
Read MoreEffective meeting management can be yours!
Everyone wants effective meeting management, but how do we get there?
Read MoreDangers of consensus decision-making
At a recent nonprofit board conference, I asked participants how they discuss and decide their issues.
Read MoreBoards can’t meet on Slack or similar group messaging platforms
It is fine for board members of a private nonprofit to use Slack or other group messaging platforms to deal with administrative matters like when the next board meeting will be held.
Read MoreAfter amending bylaws, secretary must…
Do you find this dangling headline annoying? Unfortunately bylaws are often left dangling.
Read MoreGetting your board to buy in to Robert’s Rules
A reader writes, “The city council has never used much parliamentary procedure in our meetings. People speak when they want and sidebar discussions are common.
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