When I was serving in the U.S. Department of State, I sometimes felt in danger of becoming too wrapped up in bureaucratic machinations. There were so many angles to foreign policy, and so many different folks were involved! One could spend a lifetime trudging through the … [Read more...]
Successful nonprofit boards make an enormous contribution to the success of our society
Read our posts for procedural tips and guidance to help your nonprofit board function effectively and well. We provide key insights to strengthen your discussion and decision-making. Our posts are relevant for charities, educational institutions, healthcare, service clubs, academic bodies, sports clubs, arts organizations and every kind of nonprofit organization.
Robert’s Rules has special rules for small boards
The special rules for small boards are one of the best-kept secrets of Robert's Rules of Order. If you serve on a small board (up to about 12 people) you may benefit from the flexibility that the special rules for small boards offer. Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th … [Read more...]
You can’t vote by email
Several of our clients have been startled recently to learn that they can’t vote by email. Email is so ubiquitous and useful that it seems like a natural way to make decisions. For boards, it is not. The essential nature of a board of directors is to meet, discuss and decide … [Read more...]
Amend bylaws or revise bylaws?
A reader contacted us to find out how to tackle a number of changes needed for his bylaws. He was uncertain as to how to go about it and felt intimidated by the task. While it’s true that almost everyone hates bylaws (attorneys and parliamentarians are the exception), it is … [Read more...]
Publish your numbers when electing nonprofit officers
When it comes time for electing nonprofit officers, far too often we see announcements like this: “The election for president was held and Director Black was elected to the office.” This is a mistake! When you hold an election for office, BE SURE to include the numbers of … [Read more...]
Are summary minutes right for your nonprofit board?
Over the years Jurassic Parliament has been a strong supporter of “action minutes.” We agree with Robert’s Rules of Order that the fundamental purpose of minutes is to record official actions taken by a governing body. Minutes are a legal record and document what the body has … [Read more...]
Who’s responsible for the money?
Some time ago Andrew Estep presented “I’ve Just Been Elected Treasurer – HELP!” at the Washington State Nonprofit Governance conference in Tacoma. One attendee requested assistance on how to explain board responsibility to the board of directors itself. Her comment stayed with … [Read more...]
My board is too nice
At a recent family party, as we enjoyed summer pasta salad and delicious cheeses, a guest and I chatted about Jurassic Parliament. We were discussing boards of directors when she made this off-hand comment: “My board is too nice.” Due to the imminent arrival of the … [Read more...]