Commercial and Nonprofit Boards of Directors

If you are thinking of applying to join a nonprofit or commercial director or board it is essential to understand the scope and responsibilities associated with each position. A board that is functional will be more efficient when the roles are clearly defined.

Nonprofit boards are usually comprised by volunteers who commit their time to support the achievement of their mission and act as a the governing body. Additionally the board can also include committees that carry out a large portion of the board’s responsibilities and enhance the productivity and effectiveness of the board.

A typical structure includes the following: Fundraising Committee, Governance Committee, Finance or Audit/Risk Committee, Nominating Committee and other Ad-Hoc committees. However, every organization could have a different structure for committees.

Many nonprofit organizations also have a CEO/Executive Director who is a supervisor and not a board member. Many people mistakenly believe the roles of the President and CEO/ED are the same. However the President’s role is one of governance whereas the CEO/ED’s role is one of management.

The best method to find members is to proactively search for active community members with the knowledge, skills and networks that can benefit your organization. Nonprofits can seek out potential www.boardroomhub.net candidates in a number different ways, such as through a board-matching program, networking events, and on platforms such as LinkedIn. In addition, nonprofits should have a clear procedure for onboarding new members and providing them with the appropriate training for their obligations. Finally, nonprofits need to have a strong governance system for board members and D&O coverage in place to reduce the risks they face and ensure their success.