5 Things Every New Nonprofit Board Member Needs to Know

Agreeing to serve on a nonprofit board is a noble act. Done well, it’s going to be an investment of time, talent, and treasure. But most new board members arrive at their first board meeting with no clue about what to expect either of themselves, the meeting, or board service in general. There’s got to be a better way, right?

📚 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

🏆 YOUR NEXT STEPS:

0:00 Introduction
1:17 Organizational History
2:00 Compliance History
2:44 Learn How to Read Financial Statements
3:38 Be Prepared to Ask Questions
4:49 Understand Your Role
6:00 Conclusion

[BETHJUAN]

New board member here! Excited and nervous at the same time!

[Rambandit]

I’m about to be a new board member and this is extremely helpful. I will watch other two on
Confidentiality and reading financial statements.

[MauriceRivers]

Board members are there to help with pushing the mission of the organization forward and/or contribute financially. They should be at the forefront to bring ideas, and networks that will help to push the organization forward: that is what you call a "working board".

Although they are not employees, they have duties that must be fulfilled. They also assist in advising the Executive Director on areas where the organization can grow and develop. You should not put people on your board who :

- Do not contribute financially
- Do not assist with efforts for fundraising
- Do not attend or support your events
- Are belligerent, rude and combative to staff and other board members
- Are not involved in the advancement and development of the organization
- Are not receptive to new & current ideas, methods or technology that can save the organization time
- Do not assist in growing a network that will assist with advancing the development of the organization
- Have been on the board for 8+ years and complain without offering solutions (dead weight)


That is the job and duty of board members.

[waynecmontgomery]

Hey Greg, Great video as always!!! I was wondering if you can do a video on nonprofits and building naming rights? My organization just did a naming rights deal through our 509 (a)(3) support organization for the naming right to a lighthouse in Maine that we own and operate. We raised $1.2 million and we are thinking about doing this with some of our other buildings.

[CathyKaicher]

The board of our small nonprofit is concerned about personal liability. One of our initiatives is a farmers market. What if someone were to trip on a crack in the concrete at our market?

[waynecmontgomery]

I would also suggest new board members read Roberts's Rules of order and that each board member meet with the company's internal or external counsel once a year to go over bylaws and accounting procedures both internally and any new rules established by the IRS.

[REALREVIEWSpodcast]

I’m starting a non-member public charity. I would like to know who can I Put in my board, is it can be my spouse and if I can hire them to do paid jobs as well. Thank you.

[imakeitnasty]

Very helpful, thank you . I am a founder of a nonprofit called Rich With Attitude . Do you have founder videos ?