Nonprofit Board Member Basics

Name: Nonprofit Board Member Basics
Rating: 4.5 (22 reviews)

Essential Training for Nonprofit Board Members - Governance, Leadership, Conflict, and Diversity - with Dr. Emilie

Created byDr. Emilie Socash

Last updated 8/2024

English

What you'll learn

Understand duties of care, loyalty, and obedience, and how to avoid mission creep and conflicts of interest.
Leverage board member job descriptions to build participation, ambassadorship, learning, and fundraising engagement.
Differentiate nonprofit governance & nonprofit management, and explore collaboration, communication, and boundaries between board and staff.
Learn how the strategic plan guides nonprofit’s mission, vision, and values, and explore social impact, theory of change, and community-based evidence.
Evaluate the 4 phases of the executive-board interaction, plus looks at accountability manifestos, strengths emphasis, and capacity assessment.
Define positive board culture, and design an effective board meeting and retreat. Evaluating participation, engagement, attendance, and involvement.
Outline the benefits of diversity in the nonprofit’s leadership structure and plan for creating a more inclusive board space with the goal of belonging.
Navigate conflict and change through learning 3 change models, how to manage resistance and foster healthy conflict.
Understand your own leadership style and that of other board members.

Course content

12 sections • 26 lectures • 1h 45m total length

Nonprofit Board Member Basics Course Overview5:31

Duties as Board Members Intro0:23
Duties as Board Members9:18
As a member of a nonprofit board, there are three obligations that you are individually and collectively required to fulfill. While you might have been drawn to your current role with your nonprofit because of a personal affinity for its mission, for the good work it does in your community, or even for personal reasons such as wanting to build your volunteer profile or your own reach in the community, it's important to note that each of these three duties are enforceable legal obligations that all board members must be aware of and must fulfill.
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Nonprofit Governance vs. Nonprofit Management Introduction0:09
Nonprofit Governance vs. Nonprofit Management10:38
Nonprofit management and governance are two distinct terms that are often--and inaccurately-- used interchangeably. Their differences, however, are critical to helping board members function at a high level and helping nonprofit leadership be effective in their roles.
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Further Reading0:09

Bringing the Mission to Life: Vision, Values, and Strategic Planning Intro0:16
Bringing the Mission to Life: Vision, Values, and Strategic Planning10:02
As a nonprofit board member, it's likely that it was the organization's mission statement that compelled you to serve. The mission statement is also what often brings us back to continue to support the organization over time. It's important to understand what brings that mission to life, and in this module we'll explore the vision, values, and strategic planning that goes on behind every nonprofit's work.
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The Executive Director Relationship Introduction0:16
The Executive Director Relationship9:09
Nonprofit boards are responsible for one employee: the organization's chief executive. That person, in turn, is responsible for all of the other people who work for the nonprofit. This relationship is a unique one that can work very effectively when each board member understands the dynamics of this relationship. There are four critical phases to this relationship: hiring, evaluating, building relationships, and succession planning.
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Nonprofit Board Engagement Introduction0:18
Nonprofit Board Engagement8:49
Nonprofit board service bears several key responsibilities, such as the legal aspects of your fiduciary duties as well as the logistical expectations set out within the board member job description and the bylaws. But there's an additional layer of responsibility that exists beyond these more formal means of serving the organization. We call this area "engagement," and while it's difficult to formally define or require, it's a critical part of your board service.
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Requirements

No prerequisites needed!

Description

Hey there, changemakers! Are you ready to take your nonprofit board role from good to exceptional? This course is your golden ticket to mastering the art and science of effective nonprofit board membership. Whether you're stepping into the shoes of a nonprofit board member for the first time or you're a seasoned executive director looking to refresh your knowledge (and refocus your board members), this course is designed to inspire, inform, and invigorate your board experience.

In this course you'll join Dr. Emilie Socash, a 20-year nonprofit sector veteran and organizational and leadership psychologist who has dedicated her career to nonprofit dynamics, for a robust learning experience!

We kick things off with the essential trio of duties every board member should live by: care, loyalty, and obedience. You'll learn not just the what but the how, ensuring that the interests of your organization always come first. We'll also unpack the challenges of mission creep, conflicts of interest, and how to embody the "charity of choice" commitment while preserving public trust and adhering to the highest nonprofit ethics.

Setting expectations comes next. We introduce the 5 "T"s (time, treasure, talent, ties, and testimony) and get into the nitty-gritty of bylaws, term limits, and what makes a quorum, showing you how clear expectations can drive participation, ambassadorship, and meaningful engagement.

Ever puzzled about the fine line between nonprofit governance and management? This course has you covered. Through real-world insights and expert advice, you'll discover how collaboration, communication, and proper boundaries foster a thriving relationship between board members and professional staff.

And there's so much more! From strategic planning sessions that breathe life into your nonprofit's mission to understanding the nuances of executive director relationships and board member engagement, this course is packed with actionable strategies. Plus, we don't shy away from tough topics like constructive conflict, diversity in the board room, and change management, guiding you toward discovering a leadership style that's both effective and inclusive.

By the end of this course, you'll:

Gain an in-depth understanding of your core duties and responsibilities.
Master the art of strategic planning and executive relations.
Navigate the governance-management relationship with ease.
Cultivate a positive, diverse board culture that's geared for impact.
Harness leadership styles that drive purposeful action and dialogue.

Who's this for? Nonprofit board members, executive directors, corporate volunteers—anyone who's passionate about making a difference through effective leadership.

Don't miss out on the chance to transform your nonprofit board experience. Sign up today!

Who this course is for:

Nonprofit Board Members
Nonprofit Executive Directors
Corporate Volunteers
Social Impact Activists
Community Volunteers
Nonprofit Professionals

Nonprofit Board Member Basics

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 6min

Welcome to the Board Basics Course!3 lectures • 10min

Duties as Board Members2 lectures • 10min

Setting Expectations2 lectures • 9min

Nonprofit Governance vs. Nonprofit Management3 lectures • 11min

Bringing the Mission to Life: Vision, Values, and Strategic Planning2 lectures • 10min

The Executive Director Relationship2 lectures • 9min

Nonprofit Board Engagement2 lectures • 9min

Diversity in the Nonprofit Board Room3 lectures • 11min

Constructive Conflict & Change Management3 lectures • 9min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: