Mollie Hodl, Director of Partner Development at Executive Service Corps of the Triangle, presented board building strategies to the club. ESC's new tool, buildabetterboard.com is a match-making website for nonprofits and prospective board members.
1. Serving on a Nonprofit Board
Mollie Hodl, ESC Director of Partner Development
2. Who We Are
Executive Service Corps of the Triangle is a nonprofit providing affordable
consulting services to other nonprofits.
Services are delivered by consultants who work pro bono.
• Board Development
• Board and Staff Retreat Facilitation
• Guided Organizational Assessments
• Strategic Planning
• Coaching
3. Who We Are
• Communications/Marketing
• Financial Assessment
• Collaboration Opportunities
• Board Matching/Development
• Speed Dating
• Board Leadership Bootcamp
• Build a Better Board
4. Triangle Nonprofits at a Glance
• Approximately 2,241 Nonprofits in Triangle (Chatham, Durham,
Orange, Wake)
• 15,687 Estimated Board Seats (assuming 7 members per board)
• 10 of 13 Nonprofits Polled had Millenial Board Representation
5. Why Join A Board?
• Providing Community Service
• Building A Resume
• Expanding Your Network/Skills
• Aligning With Your Passion
6. Key Questions To Consider
• Is the work of the organization interesting?
• How do my goals/skills align with the organizational goals/needs?
• Can I place the organization's purposes and interests above my own
professional and personal interests when making decisions as a
board member?
• Can I make an impactful contribution?
7. Key Questions To Consider
• Am I committed to the mission of the organization?
• Am I prepared to commit the time required to be an effective board
member?
• Am I required to give/raise money and can/will I do that?
8.
9. Key Tasks of Nonprofit Boards
• Determines Mission and Purpose
• Attends Board Meetings and Other Events
• Makes Annual Financial Contribution
• Joins at Least One Committee
• Advocates for the Organization
• Selects, Supports and Evaluates Executive Director
“Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards”, BoardSource
10. Key Tasks of Nonprofit Boards
• Provides Proper Financial Oversight
• Oversees Policies
• Recruits and Orients New Board Members and Assesses
Board Performance
• Ensures Effective Organizational Planning and Adequate
Resources (pencils to people)
“Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards”, BoardSource
11. Due Diligence
• Ask if any payables are in arrears
• Review the Nonprofit’s COI (Conflict of Interest) policy
• Review the Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Policy
• Search the Internet (Guidestar)
• Ask to review current budget and audited financial
statements
• Read articles of incorporation and bylaws
• Request minutes of the past year’s Board meetings
12. Build a Better Board is a free, web-based
service that matches Triangle area
nonprofits with individuals who would like
to serve on nonprofit boards.
www.buildabetterboard.com
75 Board Openings
86 Nonprofits
13. Board Openings
WAKE COUNTY SENIOR GAMES
Accounting, Finance, Communications, Human
Resources, Legal, Marketing, Technology,
General Project Support
NORTH CAROLINA SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
ASSOCIATION
Communications, Finance, Strategic Business
Development
CAROLINA VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP
Fundraising, General Project Support
14. Board Openings
GIRLS ON THE RUN TRIANGLE
Accounting, Auditing, Communications, Finance, Human
Resources, Legal, Marketing, Social Media, Strategic
Business Development
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Fundraising, General Project Support
BRIDGE ll SPORTS
Accounting, Auditing, Finance, Budget
TRIANGLE BIKEWORKS
Communications, General Project Support, Marketing, Social
Media
GOA- Help identify organization’s strengths and challenges in meeting nonprofit best practices
Millenials-24 to 39 according to MetLife
How many of you serve/have served on a nonprofit board?
Ask them to share their board experiences.
Ask participants what are reasons they would join a board.
Group Discussion
Most nonprofits will tell you estimate of monthly time commitment—average 4 to 6 hours month/60 to 100 hours a year
Most board commitments are 1 to 3 years on average with option of 2 additional terms
Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be a lot more of a working board. Stage 3 would be a policy board. Do you like start up/entrepreneurial environment or do you like walking into an established situation where committees are well oiled and policies/processes are in place?
Most nonprofits want 100% board giving participation-but don’t specify a dollar amount (others have required giving amounts)
There are committee members who are not board members. Committee members usually serve as pipeline to board. Their work is very project based.(example chairing an event)