Governance

We’re getting ready for today’s webinar on Nonprofit Boards and Effective Governance. Here are some links to other thoughts on governance, in earlier blog posts (on the board manual, the individual service plan, and board self-assessment) and in Critical Issues # 4, On Boards.

I was reminded of another post this morning as I reviewed the results of a board self-assessment, If It Ain’t Broke …. A significant number of trustees responded with less than strong agreement to the question “I voice my concerns about (or vote against) proposals or policies with which I do not agree.” While it is not uncommon for trustees to hold back and defer to the judgment of board leaders or management, it is quite disturbing nonetheless. The whole point of the fiduciary role of a nonprofit trustee is to apply individual judgment and evaluate issues that come before the board. If as a trustee, you don’t do that, how do you understand your role?