Board Development

The Board of Directors sets the tone and direction of an organization.  Effective board leadership and governance helps ensure that a nonprofit can operate to its fullest capacity. Creating an effective board is a continual process that includes recruitment, engagement and development. 

We have included a host of useful board development resources to explore below.

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Sample Policies

• Conflict of Interest Policy Samples - by Montana Nonprofit Association; by CompassPoint; and by IRS
• Employee Protection Policy - sample whistleblower policy by Nonprofit RIsk Management Center
• Whistleblower Policy - sample by Authenticity Consulting
• Record Retention and Destruction Policy - template by Donors Forum
• Cofidentiality Agreement Samples - samples by the National Council of Nonprofits
• The Nonprofit Policy Sampler - book with CD by Barbara Lawrence & and Outi Flynn, BoardSource ($)
• Charities Review Council - sample documents and policies

Board Assessment

• The Principles Workbook: Steering Your Board Toward Good Governance and Ethical Practice - includes 33 principles, discussion points and worksheets for evaluation, planning and action by Independent Sector and BoardSource
• Board Member Self-Assessment - articles and tools by National Council of Nonprofits

Board Recruitment & Nomination

• Board Member Job Description - sample by Bridgestar
• Code of Conduct Statement for Board Members - information by Volunteer Power
• Creating a Teen Board/Ambassador Program - includes timeline, tools and procedures by CNPE
• The ABCs of Building Better Boards - book by Jean Block ($)
• A Guide to the Nominating Process and More - ebook by Jan Hosea ($)

Strategic Planning

• Basic Steps to Strategic Planning Process - article adapted from Alliance for Nonprofit Management on National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture
• Framework for a Basic Strategic Plan Document for a Nonprofit - framework with guidance by Carter McNamara on Free Management Library
• Five Essentials of Strategic Planning - article by Paul B. Redman in Stanford Social Innovation Review (Oct 2013)
• The Strategic Plan is Dead. Long Live Strategy. - article by Dana O'Donovan and Noah Rimland Flower in Stanford Social Innovation Review (Jan 2013)

Executive Director Evaluation

• Annual Evaluation of the Executive Director – article and assessment tool by CompassPoint
• Evaluating Your Executive Director – a Guide for Boards of Nonprofit Community Development Organizations by The Enterprise Foundation
• Executive Director Evaluation Survey Form – process outline and templates by Blue Avocado
• Performance Appraisal Process for the CEO by Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE
• Exit Agreements for Nonprofit CEOs: A Guide for Boards and Executives article by Nonprofit Quarterly

Board/Staff Relationship

• 10 Ways to Improve the Board, Staff Relationship in a Small Nonprofit - blog post by Amy Wong, Dot Org Solutions
• Should Staff Contact with the Board Be Restricted? - article by Blue Avocado
• The Invisible Yellow Line, Clarifying Nonprofit Board and Staff Roles – book by Jean Block ($)

Board's Role in Fundraising

• Tips for Engaging Board Members in Fundraising, ideas gathered by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence
• 15 Ways to Transform Your Board of Directors into Fundraising Champions by Marc Koenig, Nonprofit Hub based on a Chronicle of Philanthropy live chat in 2013, Turn Your Board Members into Fundraisers, with Carol Weisman and Larry Levin
• The Fired-Up Board: Preparing Your Board Members for Fundraising article by Gail Perry
• 10 Fundraising Responsibilities of Every Board Member, blog by Gail Perry, November 21, 2021
• Is My Board of Directors Fundraising Enough? How to Engage Your Board infographic by Nonprofit Hub

Directors' & Officers' Liability Insurance

• Definition by Wikipedia
• Do all nonprofit organizations need Directors and Officers Liability Insurance? – article by Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York

Bylaws

• Bylaws Checklist - guiding principles and checklist by Blue Avocado

Websites

• Board Roles & Responsibilities, Active Participation - mini webinar by CNPE
• Board Fiscal Responsibilities - webinar and links by CNPE
• New Mexico Giude for Board Members of Charitable Organizations - legal duties as defined by New Mexico Attorney General
• Blue Avocado - provocative and fun food-for-thought for nonprofits
• Board Source - building exceptional boards and inspiring board service
• Nonprofitlaw.com - legal resources, sample contracts