In general the nonprofit board is responsible for developing the mission and values statements of the nonprofit they chair. Personally I believe one of most important jobs of the nonprofit board has to do hiring and maintaining a competent Executive director. I equate this to the hiring of the driver for your vehicle; the success of you getting to your destination depends to a large extent on the competence of your driver. The board’s ability to appoint, assist and guide the right person for the job can make a world of difference. The board has a legal responsibility to participate actively in the making of decisions and advancement of the mission of the organization. The board must show commitment to the course, they must put the interests of the organization before their personal and professional interests and serve as advocates for the organization’s mission. Nonprofit boards bear the legal responsibility of ensuring that the organization complies with the applicable federal, state, and local laws and adheres to its mission. Boards are still very relevant as organizations still need good leadership at the very top of the organization to ensure performance goals, missions, laws and financial integrity are maintained and developed. The board ensures the nonprofits prosperity by collectively directing the organizations affairs, whilst meeting the appropriate interests of its stakeholders.

The board governs the nonprofit and the CEO provides daily leadership for the nonprofit .The CEO provides a work environment based on guidance and respect and empowers his workers to act consistently in the direction of the mission on the nonprofit. He mentors, coaches and enables his people for success. The CEO who is the leader reviews the mission and goals and formulates a strategy to achieve the set objectives .He undertakes daily decision making, monitors operations and coordinates all resources of the nonprofit. The board on the other hand mostly governs the nonprofit. The nonprofit board governs through direction and control; it defines the mission, vision and goals of the nonprofit. The board sets up the nonprofits structure and its levels of authority and responsibility. Even though governance is a kind of leadership, the board is not involved in the day to day operation of the nonprofit.