Not-For-Profit Board Orientation
The board of directors plays an important role in establishing and looking after the organizational structure of a nonprofit. This elected group oversees the organization's activities and meets periodically to go over and vote on business affairs.
Given the critical role board members play within an organization's overall success, these individuals have to be up-to-speed around the organization's mission and goals. That's where board orientation is necessary.
Board orientation is when new board members are supplied with detailed information around the organization and their role within it. If the process is approached formally or informally, an interesting board orientation can encourage new board members to become committed ambassadors and advocates from the nonprofit's mission.
This article discusses some best practices surrounding board orientation and just what to cover during the process.
Importance of Board Orientation
Effective board orientations acquaint newly elected board members using their role, the organization and also the team. A thorough, engaging onboarding process could make new board members passionate about achieving the strategic mission and vision from the nonprofit.
To ensure critical topics are covered, begin the orientation process by issuing a binder to new board members. This binder should be provided before their first meeting so they have the opportunity to examine making notes for questions. Topics should include:
- The nonprofit's history-Include inspirational language when recapping the nonprofit's history to continue inspiring and reminding the brand new board members why they would like to be engaged using the organization.
- Year-to-date popular features of the board-A review of past accomplishments, in addition to new initiatives, can get the brand new board members looking forward to the nonprofit's mission and goals.
- Board roles and responsibilities-Ensure that new board members understand how each position works together to attain organizational goals by providing information on each role.
- Current board members-Providing a summary of current board members can help new members get acquainted with their new colleagues.
- List of committees and their members-To further educate new board members around the structure of the nonprofit, include a listing of committees (if applicable), detailing who sits on each.
- List of upcoming meetings with a schedule-Giving board members advance notice of sessions can help boost attendance.
- Strategic planning document-An executive summary or vision document can give board members an overview of the nonprofit's direction.
- Approved plan for the year-Inform the new board people in the approved budget so they possess a realistic concept of so what can be accomplished inside their role by the board.
- Audit financial statement-Give the brand new board members a sense of the organization's financial stability from an expert objective third party.
- Recent financials-This information can provide an awareness of the organization's actual revenue and expenses.
- Bylaws-Nonprofit bylaws provide the rules and procedures included in running the organization. If new board members don't fully understand the nonprofit's bylaws, they could potentially open up the business to considerable directors and officers liabilities.
- Board meeting minutes-The past three meetings' minutes should be sufficient in assisting the brand new board members atone for recent and current happenings.
- Agendas for that first board meeting they'll attend-Board orientation usually occurs before the new members' first board meeting, so including the agenda might help them prepare.
The chair from the board, executive director, chair from the recruitment committee, lead program person and lead development person really should show up during board orientation to welcome, inspire and educate the brand new board members. Typically, the meeting itself will be run through the recruitment chair since they brought the new members aboard and really should try to retain them by building upon their established relationship. The chair of recruitment can create a presentation for board orientation that thoroughly examines:
- The mission, purpose and framework of operations
- What the board does
- Organizational structure
- How voting works
- Current projects and vision for the future
- Strategic direction
- Financial summary of the organization
- Expectations
- Meeting schedule
Board orientation should provide information concerning the organization to new board members and begin to construct working relationships among board members to advertise a supportive environment. An intensive orientation can also reduce the likelihood of liabilities arising since sign ups have a better knowledge of the policies and procedures from the nonprofit and the board of directors. For more risk management guidance, contact INSURICA today.
This Risk Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal counsel. Readers should contact a lawyer or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. (c) 2022 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
