It's a big job, serving on a nonprofit board of directors. Maybe you knew this, and maybe you didn't. Maybe you are serving on a long standing governing board and were invited because of your expertise or passion for the cause. It's also likely that you were asked to serve because of your financial status or social networks. Alternatively, you might have very little idea as to why you are serving on a particular board of directors. Maybe you aren't even familiar with the cause but, somebody you know needed to list board members in order to meet nonprofit filing requirements.
Regardless, of how it happened or where you are, congratulations you are sitting on a board of directors and the organization's survival counts on you!
Whether you have arrived here with or without board experience, it's not too late for you to become the asset to the organization that you were designed to be. The exemplification of a blue ribbon board is a power tool in securing ongoing support for your cause. So, what does a blue ribbon board look like? It looks good, really good.
Characteristics of a Blue Ribbon Nonprofit Board
- Independent board chair. If the board chair is wearing multiple hats that include, founder and executive director, the organization is likely missing the concept of a nonprofit design. This is not to say that this organization will fail, but it will struggle to secure ongoing funding from knowledgeable individual and foundation funders. The purpose of the board is to act as a liaison between the Executive Director/ Organization and its constituents. The board chair's sole focus should be on bettering the board and governing not running the organization.
- Chatter and debate. If you were to sit in on a blue ribbon board, you would see open discussions that involve the participation of each of its members. If there appears to be one person talking or controlling the direction of the meeting, let the red flags fly. In fact, this mistake is most commonly found in those boards chaired by the Executive Director.
- Visible. Blue ribbon board members will be visible in the community and most certainly at prominent events and fundraisers. The complacent inactive board is not going to secure the longevity of an organization nor the investments of its donors.
- Articulate. Does your board know the mission statement of the organization? Do they know what programs are provided? Do they know what population is served and how they go about seeking these services? Do you know about other organizations serving the same population and their relationship with yours? Blue ribbon board members advocate for and advertise their organization.
- Knowledgeable. It's not enough to know the basic boiler plats of the organization. The blue ribbon board of directors knows the population served, current legislation impacting the organization and its cause, and the needs of both the organization and the population served. This board also knows how much funding is needed, for what, and how most funding is distributed. It's important that after the board expresses the brilliance of the organization that they know how to implement an 'ASK' for the organization.
- Informed. Yes, yes, the blue ribbon board presents the organization in the best possible light to its constituents, but it must also keep a finger on the pulse of the organization itself. As a nonprofit board of directors, you are also assuring the organizations constituents that ethical, effective, and efficient practices are implemented. A blue ribbon board remains informed of internal financial and filing practices, service provisions, and successes and struggles. This board is responsible to the community served as well as the organization's funders. Donors rely on secure investments, hopefully above tax deductions, and the blue ribbon board of directors secures that for them.
- Educated. The winning board of directors is offered or seeks training, workshop, and consulting opportunities designed to strengthen their work as a board.
- Strategic. Often, by the time a board realizes that they are in trouble, they are so far behind the issue and trying endlessly to catch up. This is often a result of skipping over strategic planning and too quickly implementing an idea for services. Putting ducks in a row is seemingly mundane and trite to the poorly operating board, while the blue ribbon board will excel at implementing strategy.
- Collaborative. Was it Warren Buffet or is it an African Proverb that says, "If you want to go fast, go alone! If you want to go far, go together!" Does it even matter? The truth is that a blue ribbon board is able to go farther than one that fails to collaborate and work together as a functioning board of directors.
- Governing. The members on a blue ribbon board know and fulfill their governing responsibilities. They also provide orientation for new board members adequately preparing them to do the same. This group complies with requirements outlined in bylaws, policies, codes of conduct, and the conflict of interest policy. Conflicts of interest don't impair this board's judgement or interfere with sound decision-making. This group also does a great job of evaluating the work of the organization's Executive Director.
This list is not as extensive as they get. However, if any of these components are missing from your board atmosphere, it could be time to regroup and seek the training. Implementing this material transforms, even the inexperienced board, into an effective one.
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