A nonprofit board is the body that supervises your organization’s obligations and fiduciary obligations, and guides it toward a sustainable future. They ensure that your nonprofit has the appropriate funds to fulfill its purpose and that it is managed legally and ethically, by way of the financial and governance policies. They also review the executive director’s performance, compensation, and other crucial management issues.

Nonprofit boards usually include those who have connections to donors and other influential community members, as well as those who are passionate about your cause and its goals. It is also important to find people who are detail-oriented, to ensure they comprehend the bigger picture and how the pieces of the puzzle fit together and what needs to be done in each department and how it affects the larger goals.

Board members should demonstrate an intense commitment www.databoardroom.com/is-your-nonprofit-board-focused-on-the-right-things/ to the mission of the organization and its goals and be able to commit significant time and energy to meet obligations. They should also be able clearly to communicate their importance as a trustee, and the implications of the decisions they make. They shouldn’t be attracted to gossip or rumor, and they shouldn’t attempt to curry favor with other trustees or staff members by playing the game of favorites.

It is vital that the new board members are aware of their core obligations. Many organizations utilize sessions of orientation to teach their new trustees on their fiduciary and legal obligations, as well other governance practices. They can be led by the executive director or by fellow board members.