Lesson 3: Governance and Leadership Reflections

• What is the role of a non-profit board?

The Board of Directors is responsible for the generative and structural guidance of an organization. They are responsible for paying attention to core issues and setting up organizational policies. Board members are accountable for the board’s actions, structure, and membership in order to ensure accountability. The Board of Directors set and maintains the framework within which an organization functions. It is the board’s responsibility to create and review the mission and purpose that articulates the organization’s goals. Boards must reach an agreement on the Executive Directors responsibilities and partake in a search to find the most qualified candidate for the position. They should be able to ensure the organization that the Executive Director has the moral and support that he or she needs to execute the mission. As a board member, an individual must actively participate in the overall planning process and assist in implementing the organization’s overall goals. In order to do this, the board must monitor the effectiveness of the program and services being run and determine if they are consistent with the non-profit mission. To fulfill goals, an organization must be financially adequate and it is a board members responsibility to secure the financial resources. Along with the financial aspect, the board must approve the annual budget provided by the Executive Director and ensure that proper financial controls are in place. Ultimately, the Board of Directors is responsible for the adherence to legal standards and all ethical norms. To do this, the board should express the organization’s mission, plans, goals, and accomplishments to the public to gather further support from the community.

• What is the difference between governance and leadership? How is the role of the CEO different from that of the Board?

Governance involves the Board of Directors, while leadership is a structure for the Executive Director. Governance involves the generative and structural guidance of an organization. Paying attention to the core issues and setting up policies to set and maintain the framework within which an organization functions explains governance. Leadership is actually executing the mission and making important decisions. Leadership in a non-profit oversees the execution of the mission within the framework established by the Board of Directors.