Building a Better Board

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Building a Better Board

• Chesapeake Watershed Forum
• Friday, November 17, 2006
• Diana Toledo
• River Network

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Board of Directors

• Time
• Treasure
• Talent

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Board of DirectorsRoles Responsibilities

• Setting Goals, Planning, Monitoring
• Setting the Work Plan Doing the Work
• Managing the Organization
• Fundraising

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Board of DirectorsRoles Responsibilities

• Manage the Finances
• Communications Outreach
• Managing the Boards work
• Developing Renewing itself

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Legal Fiduciary ResponsibilitiesHelpful tools

• Realistic budgeting fundraising plans
• Clear fiscal control guidelines
• check contract signing
• cash-handling
• investment policies
• reimbursement policies
• Internal audits
• Indemnification clause in bylaws
• Directors Officers Insurance

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Legal ResponsibilitiesLicensing Reporting
Requirements

• Reporting to IRS
• 990 report
• Reporting to state government agencies
• Licensing requirements
• ticket sales, food services, alcohol sales, bulk
  mailing rates, etc.

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Legal ResponsibilitiesPolitical Activities (for
501c3 orgs.)

• Track lobbying activities
• Unsubstantial amount of your budget, OR
• 20 rule no more than 20 of your budget, 5
  of that for grassroots lobbying
• Beware of electioneering activities
• CAN educate on issues, host candidate forums,
  publicize candidates positions, etc.
• CANNOT do anything on behalf or in opposition of
  particular candidates

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Building a Strong BoardRecruitment

• Identify open seats per bylaws
• Identify skills/demographic/representation gaps
• Identify potential candidates
• Recruit candidates

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Building a Strong BoardOrientation

• Official welcome
• in newsletter, by Board Chair, first meeting,
  etc.
• Board Handbook
• mission/vision, bylaws, org. policies,
  Strategic/Annual plans, minutes, staff/Bd lists,
  Board bios, financial reports, committee lists
• Schedule of upcoming activities
• Others
• Peer mentor, Board contract, organizational
  talking pts, issue-specific trainings, etc.

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Maintaining a Strong Board

• Ongoing training
• Retreats, guest speakers, field trips,
• Monitor progress toward goals
• Regular review against Annual and Strategic Plans
• Self-evaluation
• Board renewal

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Best Practices Strong Committees --gt Strong
Boards

• Committees
• Let the Board focus on policy decision-making
• Allow for less frequent, more focused meetings
• Serve as recruitment vehicle for Board

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Best Practices Strong Committees --gt Strong
Boards

• Effective Committees need
• Sufficient membership!
• Strong leadership
• Clear goals
• Clear authority
• Accountability

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Best Practices

• Boards Role in Fundraising
• Boards vs. Staff Responsibilities

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Strengthening Your Board

• Choose 3-4 priority areas you need to address to
  build and strengthen your organizations Board?

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• Diana Toledo
• Southeast Program Manager
• River Network
• dtoledo_at_rivernetwork.org
• www.rivernetwork.org

River Network Connecting People, Saving Rivers