Board Development

Definition

Board development has many aspects. As nonprofits continue to grow in both size and importance, it is increasingly vital for board members to understand their evolving role and the importance of their contributions to the successful accomplishment of the organization’s mission. This topic area includes areas of consideration such as board recruitment, ethical board governance and types of governance models.

Board development needs may result from a shift in an organization’s role or life cycle, requiring the board to assess where it needs to go in skills, members and type of work. Board development activities may include keeping board members engaged in governance, liability and development. Board diversity and leadership development are essential to a nonprofit organization’s ability to represent and reflect a wide range of perspectives, expand networks and achieve greater collaboration and innovation.

Key Considerations

Board development is the responsibility of the Board as a whole and should be conducted over time, with some teaching moments taking place during regular board meetings, some during board retreats and others during committee meetings.

Board Management	Understand the role of the board; identify the key issues for the board to address, create dashboard; clarify board member expectations and accountability; determine ideal board and board committee structure; determine ideal board composition; engage and educate board members; understand the role of the staff; ensure effective meetings.
Board Members	Know what skills, experiences and demographic characteristics are needed to be successful as a board; using a board grid know what skills, experiences and demographic characteristics your board currently has.
Board Policies & Procedures	Board policies are guidelines for how the Board members can best work together, e.g., when they want to meet, how members are chosen to be on committees, how they recruit and orient new members, how they manage for consistent meeting attendance, how the Board will work with the chief executive officer, how they will avoid conflict-of-interest, etc.
Board Responsibilities	Determine mission & vision and ensure effective planning; establish and strengthen community relations; select and support the chief executive; develop funding resources; provide financial oversight; ensure legal and ethical integrity; develop the board.
Board Staff Relationship	Board and staff roles in a healthy organization are continually being redefined. Their success depends upon mutual respect, common expectations, open communication and regular feedback and assessment.
Board Structure	Typically, most of the work of the board gets done within the committee structure. Committees provide an opportunity for board members to use their expertise and work together on specific projects, while allowing the board to keep its attention on the big picture. Be cautious about the number of standing committees your board has; you may find you don't have enough resources to staff all the committees.
Governance Models	Governance models vary widely and oftentimes are linked to the organization's maturity. Board's may find that adding an advisory committee, or a community council to get additional input and perspectives may be one option to improve their outcomes.

Relevant Links

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