http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-12387 Greg McRay Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:54:35 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-12387 Usually the answer is yes. But, it is an inherent conflict of interest and, therefore, not really a best practice. I realize with new and small nonprofits, it may be a practical necessity. Make sure a majority of the board is not related and not employed...and those non-employed board members should make all decisions regarding compensation of the dual status board member. Usually the answer is yes. But, it is an inherent conflict of interest and, therefore, not really a best practice. I realize with new and small nonprofits, it may be a practical necessity. Make sure a majority of the board is not related and not employed…and those non-employed board members should make all decisions regarding compensation of the dual status board member.

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-12143 Herman Jones Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:54:40 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-12143 Can you be on the Board of Director's and a paid employee. Can you be on the Board of Director’s and a paid employee.

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1604 Greg McRay Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:58:17 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1604 Wow, lots of questions...First, choose board members who are best able to serve the organization. Consider time, talent and (most importantly) a dedication to the cause. It certainly doesn't hurt to have professionals and/or sufferers, but don't limit the possibilities. As to remaining "her/our" foundation, that simply isn't possible when you are talking about a charity. There is no ownership of a nonprofit, so this is something you simply must understand going in. I suggest reading our article, <a href="http://www.501c3.org/blog/who-really-owns-a-nonprofit/" rel="nofollow">Who Really Owns a Nonprofit</a>. With the grant request, you are probably quite premature on that part. Without a functioning organization with a little bit of history under your belt, grants are a long-shot at best. Focus instead on cultivating a fanbase of donors. That will serve you better in the long run anyway. Wow, lots of questions…First, choose board members who are best able to serve the organization. Consider time, talent and (most importantly) a dedication to the cause. It certainly doesn't hurt to have professionals and/or sufferers, but don't limit the possibilities. As to remaining "her/our" foundation, that simply isn't possible when you are talking about a charity. There is no ownership of a nonprofit, so this is something you simply must understand going in. I suggest reading our article, Who Really Owns a Nonprofit. With the grant request, you are probably quite premature on that part. Without a functioning organization with a little bit of history under your belt, grants are a long-shot at best. Focus instead on cultivating a fanbase of donors. That will serve you better in the long run anyway.

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1603 Craig Jeranek Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:13:25 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1603 My wife and I are starting up a non-profit for Fibromyalgia awareness in our community. There is no other such organization in our area. We have some questions as to who would be "good" board members. I saw your post above about selecting "people who share your sense of mission." Are Doctors that may deal with this good people to have on a board for a cause such as this? Would we be better off trying to find other individuals that have Fibromyalgia? My wife is also concerned about the "board of directors" selection because the board usually appoints the CEO if we're not mistaken and she wants this to remain her/our foundation. We are also working on grant requests right now. Is a request letter the best route or is the grant form better. Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. My wife and I are starting up a non-profit for Fibromyalgia awareness in our community. There is no other such organization in our area. We have some questions as to who would be "good" board members. I saw your post above about selecting "people who share your sense of mission." Are Doctors that may deal with this good people to have on a board for a cause such as this? Would we be better off trying to find other individuals that have Fibromyalgia? My wife is also concerned about the "board of directors" selection because the board usually appoints the CEO if we're not mistaken and she wants this to remain her/our foundation. We are also working on grant requests right now. Is a request letter the best route or is the grant form better. Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1016 Greg McRay, EA Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:14:48 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1016 It is possible, but not necessarily a best practice. This is most common in small startup nonprofits. Understand that you have an inherent conflict of interest as both a paid employee and board member. Any actions by the board affecting your position as employee requires your recusal. As to your second question, you must have a board of directors. That is your governing body. A board of advisors is usually a group of nonvoting individuals whose role is to provide counsel to the board. It is possible, but not necessarily a best practice. This is most common in small startup nonprofits. Understand that you have an inherent conflict of interest as both a paid employee and board member. Any actions by the board affecting your position as employee requires your recusal. As to your second question, you must have a board of directors. That is your governing body. A board of advisors is usually a group of nonvoting individuals whose role is to provide counsel to the board.

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1015 Adrian Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:23:03 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1015 I was wondering, can the board chairman also be the ED of the non profit? Also what is better practice a Board of advisors or a Board of directors? I was wondering, can the board chairman also be the ED of the non profit? Also what is better practice a Board of advisors or a Board of directors?

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1013 Greg McRay, EA Thu, 05 May 2011 13:39:50 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1013 Shouldn't be a problem under most scenarios. Shouldn’t be a problem under most scenarios.

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1011 leslie Tue, 03 May 2011 17:35:33 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1011 Can a foundation member be part of a non-for-profit community organization? Can a foundation member be part of a non-for-profit community organization?

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1010 Greg McRay, EA Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:07:56 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1010 Get somebody (somebodies) added to bring you back to at least 7. Your bylaws should contain provisions for adding new board members. Typically, an existing board member will nominate a replacement(s) to complete the remainder of the terms for the open slots and the entire board will vote in approve or not. Get somebody (somebodies) added to bring you back to at least 7. Your bylaws should contain provisions for adding new board members. Typically, an existing board member will nominate a replacement(s) to complete the remainder of the terms for the open slots and the entire board will vote in approve or not.

]]> http://www.501c3.org/blog/nonprofit-board-members-choose-wisely/#comment-1009 Spike Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:59:14 +0000 http://www.501c3.org/blog/?p=1224#comment-1009 I am on the Board of Trustees for a non-profit childcare center. We've had some turmoil in the center the last couple weeks with the Executive Director and in the last 3 days we've managed to lose both our President and Vice President and are now below our minimum 7 members. Question is what do we do now?! I am on the Board of Trustees for a non-profit childcare center. We’ve had some turmoil in the center the last couple weeks with the Executive Director and in the last 3 days we’ve managed to lose both our President and Vice President and are now below our minimum 7 members. Question is what do we do now?!

]]>