Non Profit Planning |
Non Profit Planning FoundationsGetting Started With PlanningBoard & Staff Roles
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A frequent point of discussion is the responsibility of the board and the staff. Here is a simple rule of thumb to guide who does what. 1. If you hire staff to handle the fulfillment of the mission statement and the board is volunteer. Empower the staff to carry out the day-to-day operations of the non profit organization. The board is responsible for the long range vision and future think. The board hires the executive director to fulfill the mission and vision of the organization. The board should spend their time on the forward thinking of the organization and not on the daily fires that need to be put out. 2. If the board governs the non-profit organization and there is no paid staff. The board needs to understand what each board member is responsible for. It functions similar to a normal paid work group. However the expectations should be trimmed down. Many volunteer boards build large expectations at the beginning of the year only to fall short of their goals and feel embarrassed or inadequate about their performance. All volunteer boards that do not have full time staff should plan and then consciously cut back their goals. Focus on what is the most important items to accomplish this coming year. Build your strategic plan so a high percentage of goals can be accomplished.
Fred Bayley is an award winning leader, speaker, author and facilitator. |