You are browsing: Jan Masaoka
Deconstructing Sustainability
Maybe in some mythic past it was possible to think first about strategic impact goals, and then about how to raise the money. But today we know better: you can’t talk about what you’re going to do without talking about how to get the money. And, …
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
You know the board matrix: it has a list of skills and competencies that are “supposed” to be on the board, such as legal, marketing, HR, fundraising, finance. And typically there are also demographic qualities, such as gender, race, age. The boa …
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 a year, a n …
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!! …
Take A Fresh Look at Scrip Fundraising
Wait! Scrip is not just for churches and schools anymore. Increasingly, nonprofit cultural centers, health clinics, civil rights organizations and environmental coalitions are finding scrip to be a comparatively easy way to raise funds: How …
Organizing the Board to Support the 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 organization's business/revenue strategy:In the quest for funds …
Questions to Ask Prospective Board Members
A coffee date isn’t a good idea only for beginning, tentative romances. A coffee or lunch date is an easy way to meet with individuals who may be good candidates for your nonprofit board. If you spend a few minutes ahead of time thinking about wh …
