Nonprofit boards often find themselves stuck in a rut, performing the same old tasks with the same agenda month after month, with little impact. This "old work," as described by board expert Richard Chait in his 1996 article "The New Board Work of the Nonprofit Board," remains highly relevant today. I had the opportunity to rediscover this valuable resource in my files, and it reaffirmed that boards have the potential to move their work toward a more impactful and relevant approach.
A few years ago, I attended a nonprofit board meeting where a generational divide became painfully apparent. A young board member in her early thirties presented a fresh, new strategy to secure critical resources for the organization. She was met with resistance from older members who clung to their outdated practices. “What we’ve been doing for the last ten years has worked, why would we want to change?”
I couldn't help but sense a fear of change from most of the board. Their reluctance to embrace new ideas was evident in their dismissive comments and disapproving nods to the younger board member. When I voiced my support of the new strategy, I emphasized the urgency of adapting to a rapidly evolving landscape of nonprofits and their resource development strategies.
As the board meeting ended, I sensed the younger board member was clearly frustrated. She expressed her concern that the organization's digging their heals into the old way of board work would ultimately lead to irrelevance and a missed opportunity. For me, it was a great reminder of the importance of fostering a culture of adaptability, especially in a world that's constantly changing.
Here are a few challenges that can arise if you don't change your board work.
- Outdated views and a focus on financials rather than broader responsibilities can hinder progress.
- Overemphasis on process and individual expertise can hinder effectiveness.
- The old way of doing board work is characterized by the CEO defining problems and solutions, and the board acting as a rubber stamp.
- Rigid agendas disengage board members and miss opportunities to use their skills. An administrative focus can lead to operational details over strategic issues.
Here are some tips to help your board move toward the "new" way of work:
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Boards and management should work together to identify key issues, set the agenda, and develop solutions.
- Shared Responsibility: The board and management should both be involved in setting policy and implementing it. Lines of authority should be flexible and adaptable.
- Strategic Committees: The board's structure should reflect the organization's strategic priorities. This can involve creating ad hoc committees or task forces to address specific issues. Not everything needs to be done by a committee.
- Goal-Driven Meetings: Board meetings should be focused on achieving specific goals, rather than simply following a predetermined agenda or transferring knowledge through reports.
- Team-Based Approach: Boards should recruit members who have the personality and skills to work effectively as a team. The board should also cultivate a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and inquiry in the decision-making process.
By adopting the "new work" approach, nonprofit boards can become more effective and impactful. This involves shifting from a passive role to an active one, collaborating with management, and focusing on strategic outcomes.
If you want to talk about moving your board forward, contact us for a free one-hour consultation!
As the year comes to a close, having a plan in place is essential to build on your nonprofit's impact and sustain momentum into the new year. A well-defined plan sets clear goals, keeps your team aligned, and helps ensure that resources are directed toward your mission in ways that make the greatest difference. What's YOUR plan?
