Board Service isn't just about raising money and governing organizations...

As the VISTA supporting our BoardMatch Marin program, a free personalized matching service connecting citizens with nonprofit board service, I often read, think and write about nonprofit boards. 

Today a coworker sent me a fascinating article written by Paul Vandeventer in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.  Entitled "Increasing Civic Reach", Paul talks about the trait he finds distinguishes a great board member from an adequate one.  For anyone heading a nonprofit, serving on a nonprofit board, or interested in nonprofit service, this is a must read.  I hope you enjoy this article, and contribute your own thoughts on what are the most coveted values for nonprofit board members.

Here is a link to "Increasing Civic Reach":  http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/increasing_civic_reach/ 

For more information or to apply for BoardMatch Marin, please go to www.boardmatchmarin.org.

Nonprofit seeking Capacity for Change? Look no further!

The Center's dedicated Programs team unveiled its new blog earlier this week.  Capacity for Change entries include news about health care subsidies for small nonprofits, a report on global charity behavior, and a link to the inspiring sector video we showed at Heart of Marin!  If you are a nonprofit looking to stay in the know about nonprofit news, or just an individual interested in the sector, this is the blog for you.

Capacity For Change can be found at capacityforchange.blogspot.com. Please click over and subscribe by email or RSS Feed. The first 50 subscribers are automatically entered in a drawing to win the Nonprofit Survival Kit: executive edition!

Happy Friday, and happy reading!

-the Volunteer Marin Team

"Screening Process Needed" for Marin Nonprofit Board Members

Letter to the Editor from Andrew Eber, Petaluma

From the Marin Independent Journal, Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Nov. 22 Marin Voice column by Melissa Branch* and Linda Davis accurately described two of the primary failings of non-profit boards: poor orientation and training and incompetent leadership. 

From my 40 years in the non-profit sector I would add a third: faulty membership recruitment.

Thorough vetting of board recruits is essential. Requiring board candidates to serve a term on a board committee before they're formally seated allows the organization to screen out the micro-managers, unreliable participants and the self-promoters.

Board members who are not trained to understand the critical difference between their role in governance and the responsibilities of management for daily operations often find themselves engaged in financial or personnel decisions for which they are unprepared or ill-informed.

As the authors point out, this "can easily place an organization in jeopardy." These board members may be personally liable for the consequences of their poor decisions.

Board chairs who operate on the basis of personalities and selectively withholding information rather than sound governance principles encourage a board culture of private agendas, personal ambition or self-dealing, any of which can seriously undermine their organization's mission of service, no matter how meritorious.

The solution: Patient recruitment, thorough screening, sound training by organizations like the Center for Nonprofit and Volunteer Leadership and selection of board leaders with the humility and integrity to "know what they don't know."

*Note:  Marin Voice Article contributed by Melissa Breach, Programs Director and Linda Davis, Executive Director at the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin.

If you are interested in serving on a nonprofit board, please check out the BoardMatch Marin program at www.VolunteerMarin.org. 

Take the forum CHALLENGE!

Next Wednesday, February 16 the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership is hosting the bi-annual North Bay Social Sector Forum.  This year the Center is partnering with Marin Economic Forum to convene a cross-sector dialogue about the state of economy, what we can expect in the coming years, and how we, as a sector, can step-up and provide leadership in the dialogue over taxes, spending, and associated public policy.  

Here’s the challenge:  Join us for this conversation and bring someone from another sector.  Bring a partner in public education, or a board member who manages a small business, or a corporate funder. 

Featured Speakers:

 ROB EYLER, Marin Economic Forum
 PETER MANZO, United Ways of California
 KIM KLEIN, Klein & Roth Consulting & author of Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times

Program:

Registration, Breakfast & Networking
The State of California's Economy
The Economy's Impact on Nonprofi ts
Vision for a Sustainable California
Cafe Conversations: the Social Sector and the Common Good

Register NOW to get the few seats that are left!

http://nbforum.eventbrite.com/

 

Marin Voice: Training can pay off for nonprofit boards

Written by Melissa Breach and Linda Davis

From the Marin Independent Journal, Monday, November 22, 2010

IN recent weeks, there have been several stories in the Marin IJ recounting the troubles and travails of local nonprofits, almost all of which have their roots in decision-making and the role of the nonprofit board of directors. 

While all public corporations experience differences of opinion among the leadership, nonprofits are subject to a much harsher scrutiny, in part due to the community's investment and pride in charitable institutions. 

This scrutiny can be exacerbated by a public and press that expect "do-good" organizations to run free of conflict, while demanding more transparency around sensitive internal management and staffing issues. 

At the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership, the phone rings every day with a board member or an executive director seeking assistance with governance. 

It's worth saying: Governance is hard. Perhaps one of the reasons for the difficulty is that we believe it should be easy. Board members who buy into the myth that governance is easy and uncomplicated are often hesitant to acknowledge their uncertainty or ask critical questions, instead relying on others who "must surely know." All too often this leaves decision making in the hands of the one or two board members who don't know what they don't know. 

Good board service requires a significant commitment of time and personal resources, resembling, in many ways, an elected public office more than a volunteer position. 

At minimum, the state requires board members to take prudent care of the organization, place the organization's interests above their own during all deliberations, and to ensure the organization's compliance with local, state and federal laws. 

All that, plus the pragmatic responsibilities of a board -- like recruiting and retaining a chief executive, ensuring the organization has sufficient capital, refining mission and strategy and monitoring ongoing performance.

Fortunately, many people continue to find joy and purpose in this hard work and every year hundreds of people join a board for the very first time. These generous souls are part-time volunteers who may (or may not) have expertise in nonprofit management or experience with the organization's primary business -- but they care enough to buckle down and do the work. 

Unfortunately, many of them will never receive training on their new role and responsibilities. Even more startling, many experienced board members have a limited understanding of the critical line between governance and management -- an issue that can easily place an organization in jeopardy. 

So what can we do? The nonprofit sector can commit to investing in governance. Board members are entitled to a substantive understanding of their legal obligations and organizational responsibilities, along with access to the resources and tools needed to govern effectively. 

From board agreements, to governance policies, to an annual board evaluation process -an educated board is one sign of a thriving organization. 

CVNL is one of a handful of organizations in the Bay Area that offers resources for nonprofits and their boards. In addition to board trainings, recruitment and consulting services, CVNL provides a free library with extensive governance publications and information, free unbiased referrals to vetted consultants, and more.

By giving time, leadership and money or even just the benefit of the doubt, volunteer leaders can help our organizations grow stronger. The need for skilled and passionate board members has never been greater. Anyone curious about board service is encouraged to contact CVNL for guidance and referrals. 

Nonprofits are prized community assets. We should all remember that nonprofits are best judged on the quality of their mission and the impact of their work.

Why Marin?

Marin has the highest per capita income in the country-just under $50,000.

So why should you give your time to volunteer in a county as rich as Marin? 

The truth is that this statistic masks the reality of our county....

• About 23,000 families—35% of the population—fall below the self-sufficiency standard.  They do not have the means to cover the basic costs of living-food, transportation, child care, taxes.
• However, eligibility for federal assistance is based on the federal poverty level.  Only 3000 of our county’s families qualify for this aide.
• A family of three headed by a single parent would need to make at least $68,000 just to make ends meet.  That’s the equivalent of working 4 minimum wage jobs.

I receive a $1200/month stipend working as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America).  $1200 needs to cover rent (an average of $1600/month in Marin County), food, transportation, and health care.  As you can imagine, the numbers do not add up.  However, I am fortunate to be young, single, and living with a roommate who has a stable job.  I am honored to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA because I want to make a difference in our community and pledged my commitment to serve willing and ready to live a year in poverty.  Yet, within my commitment lies the key difference that separates me from the families trying to make ends meet in Marin—I will serve for a year in poverty. 

23,000+ families in Marin are struggling year after year to be self-sufficient, and if I am certain that this number would grow exponentially if Marin nonprofits were not present to help empower their community to strive for change.  In order to serve, Marin nonprofits need money, resources, and time in order to help create social change.  So, the next time you have a chance to reflect on your life’s successes and struggles, consider lending your most valuable assets—your time and experience—with those around you.  You can make an impact in Marin by helping to address issues which can break the cycle of poverty in our community.

Volunteer Marin.

Facts for this post were taken from the Marin Community Foundation report on "An Overview of Poverty in Marin County." For this report and other publications created by the Marin Community Foundation, please go to www.marincf.org.  For information on Volunteer Opportunities in Marin, go to www.VolunteerMarin.org.

2010 Heart of Marin Awards

The holiday season is coming upon us, and when I think about all the wonderful things this time of year has to offer- warm apple cider, roasting marshmallows by the fireplace, family dinners... what most stands out to me is the goodwill that's generated by holiday spirit.  Nothing epitomizes the generosity and goodwill that is generated this time of year more than the Heart of Marin Awards.  Now in it's 18th year, the annual awards event is well-known among many local Marinites.  For those of you unfamiliar with it, the Heart of Marin Awards is a chance for outstanding individuals and organizations to be recognized for the wonderfully selfless work they do in the community.

Last year was my first time taking part in the Heart of Marin Awards, and this year I am lucky to be involved in producing it.  There are 7 categories in which one can win an award: Volunteer of the Year, Excellence in Board Leadership, Excellence in Leadership, Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence, Excellence in Innovation, Corporate Community Service, and Youth Volunteer of the year.  The category that is of particular interest to me is the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.  I can remember sitting at our table last year, listening to the incredible work that these children do, and trying hard to fight back my tears.  It is truly inspiring to hear how much good one person can do, and these particular persons are not even adults yet!

So, if you're looking to have some of that good spirit rub off on you, then you should absolutely consider attending this year's Heart of Marin Awards, which will take place January 6 at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael.  The food is delicious and you can't beat the company!  For more information, visit www.cvnl.org

If you would like to nominate an individual or organization, go here.

For nonprofits, an effective board is crucial

Content taken from Nonprofit Spark. VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network. 30 Sept 2010. 11 PST.

Host-Renee McGivern, www.voiceamerica.com

written by Sarah Van Dine

The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership's CEO was featured last week on Nonprofit Spark, an online radio talk show dedicated to igniting nonprofit learning and connections with host Renee McGivern.  With 32 years experience in nonprofit management, Davis was able to provide insight on the vital components for nonprofit boards.

When asked to describe the key duties of a board member, Davis described that “for most executive directors and board members, we collectively feel that the best board member is someone who brings money, attains contributions, brings contacts and positive attention to the organization, and brings a certain expertise while diversifying the board composition.  While that is true, it is only a part of the role because the role is also around governance.”  Board members in California legally have a responsibility to uphold a duty of care—attending and participating in board meetings, of loyalty—acting in good faith on behalf of the organization, and of obedience—following organization bylaws and articles of incorporation.  

One of the best ways to insure that the duty of loyalty is upheld, Davis states, is to have a Conflict of Interest policy in place.  Although such a policy is a best practice for board management, it is not necessarily transferred or known by nonprofits.  Yet Davis says that a Conflict of Interest policy is “often misunderstood.  It is really not meant to say that you (as a board member) can or can’t participate, but it is a disclosure statement” so if a conflict of interest does arise, the board member knows it is their responsibility to voice that conflict and for the remainder of the board to decide what they should do.

Another key aspect of board governance is ensuring that the nonprofit organization is fiscally responsible.  Yet, as host Renee McGovern points out, most people do not know how to read organization financial statements.  Davis agreed.  She said it is “very important for all nonprofit organizations to have somebody in their organization on staff, or as a volunteer,” who does understand that information, and that the executive director knows enough to ask the right questions.  However, an organization can also teach its board members in this area.  Davis said that is not uncommon for the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership to walk their board through forms, encouraging members to ask questions and start a dialogue.  “You can look for an organization like ours in your community where they offer workshops or training where you can send your board members to learn.”

Davis went on to speak about the crucial relationship between board president and executive director.  “There are very distinct roles for both the executive director and the board president, with boundaries, and it is important for both parties to know what those are, to understand them, and to respect them.”  This relationship is an odd aspect of nonprofit work because although an executive director is hired and fired by the board and reports to them, it is the executive director’s responsibility to ensure that they are doing a good job in managing the organization. “Communication is paramount to this relationship.”

If you are a nonprofit in the Bay Area seeking support for your board, the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership provides Board 101, 201, and Strategic Board Recruitment workshops as well as a free-for-members board referral service.  Please go to www.cvnl.org to learn more.