New to the Board

I recently wrote a post offering advice to new charity ED/CEO’s on how to work with a board of directors.

It’s only fair to speak to the other side as well.

If you are newly appointed to a charity board, or considering the possibility, Thank You!

Boards serve an important and frequently misunderstood role in society. The volunteers who accept responsibility for oversight and governance often have little idea what they’re really getting involved in, and it can be quite a lot.

Here are a few things to keep in mind in your first year on the board:

-Read the bylaws. A surprising number of charities are not in compliance with their own governing documents. This is illegal. Some can’t even find them to check. Do yourself, and the whole organization a favour and get a copy of the articles of incorporation, bylaws, any communications from the Canada Revenue Agency, and at least the last year’s worth of board minutes. You will be better informed and able to ensure that the organization is in compliance. It may seem boring, but it matters.

-Check your insurance. If the previous point didn’t scare you off, this next step should provide some level of comfort. Every charity should carry Directors and Officers liability insurance to protect you personally from unintentional errors. I insist on seeing a copy of the paid policy annually. I hope you never need it, but it’s a small detail that can make a massive difference.

-Ask lots of (stupid) questions. Many new board members spend their first 6-12 months sitting passively, trying to understand everything by osmosis. That’s a poor use of your time. Instead, ask about anything that isn’t clear to you. You have a lot of freedom as a new director to ask about things that others may take for granted. Your outside perspective may expose some things that need attention that others have assumed for years.

-Get to know your lead staff. One of the board’s highest responsibilities is the appointing, supervision, and (when necessary) termination of your Executive Director, President, or Chief Executive Officer. You can’t do that very well unless you know them well enough to understand their approach. Some say you shouldn’t be friends with your lead staff; I say that’s a shallow understanding. Sharing a meaningful cause is a great foundation for connecting with someone and it will make you better able to provide them with what they need to excel.

-Understand your role. Too many charity boards have a poor understanding of what they are actually supposed to do. This is magnified when directors are also donors, volunteers, or participants in the organization’s programming. Clarifying the expectations of each role you play, and how to avoid confusion in them, will make you more effective in each capacity. (My 5 Questions Healthy Boards Can Answer workshop spends a bunch of time looking at the 6 hats each board member may sometimes wear).

-Learn together. Healthy boards engage in intentional education about the charity they oversee, the issues and opportunities relevant to the cause, and how to do governance well. Your staff can provide a lot of insight into operations and issues. The best book I’ve come across on board work is Jim Brown’s The Imperfect Board Member. It’s easily readable, very practical, and provides great insight. I have it as required reading for any board I lead.

And finally,

-Have fun! Serving on a charity board is a serious responsibility, but it is also a special privilege. To know that your volunteer efforts are contributing to a better society is a wonderful thing. Get to know your fellow directors, have some laughs alongside the likely frustrations that will come, and take heart in being a contributor to a cause you care about.

Coming alongside charity boards is one of my favourite parts of my work. Whether it’s helping them prepare for a leadership transition, work through some challenging issues or dynamics, or building better clarity through the 5 Questions Healthy Boards Can Answer; helping boards succeed is deeply rewarding.

Contact me if I can be helpful to your organization.

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