You are browsing: Jan Masaoka
A Board Member Crosses the Line
Dear Blue Avocado: I’m the chair of a nonprofit board and I have a problem. We recently voted to support a local measure that would change some zoning regulations in our county. This board member — I’ll call him “Joe” — was outvoted (he was the …
Twelve Ways to Get a New Executive Director Off on the Right Foot
When a new executive is hired, the board usually breathes a huge sigh of relief. They have likely been working extra hard for weeks or months interviewing candidates or taking on additional tasks, such as managing a fundraising event or overseein …
All Hands on Board: The Board of Directors in All-Volunteer Organizations
This booklet was originally published by the National Center for Nonprofit Boards and the Support Center for Nonprofit Management, which are now respectively known as BoardSource and CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. The hardcopy is now out of print. …
Ditch Your Board Composition Matrix
Board composition matrices focus our attention on what people are, rather than on what the organization needs board members to do.
And Now for a Different Type of Board Agenda
Board meeting time is deeply precious time, and the fulcrum of board-staff opportunity or disappointment. Let’s be smarter about how we use it. Bonus: board meeting cartoon at end of article. Every third Tuesday, or maybe four Wednesdays …
What’s the Right Size for the Board?
Dear Blue Avocado: We have 18 board members, but we are wondering if we should try to keep such a large board. At our upcoming board and senior staff retreat we will be discussing what size our board should be to be most effective. Help!! By …
Take A Fresh Look at Scrip Fundraising
Increasingly, nonprofits are finding scrip to be a comparatively easy way to raise funds. How does scrip fundraising work, anyway?
Organizing the Board to Support Nonprofit Revenue Strategy
Instead of focusing only on how board members can raise individual donations (or not!), think more broadly (and effectively) about how board members can support the key aspects of your nonprofit revenue strategy: In the quest for funds, there is no sho …
Questions to Ask Prospective Board Members
Spend a few minutes ahead of time thinking about what to ask prospective board members to get a better idea if it’s a good match.
Executive Director Evaluation Survey Form
A process and an evaluation instrument for executive director evaluation surveys. Includes survey in Word format for easy modification.
