Governance Q&A: Dealing with founder’s syndrome

Fifteen years ago, my husband and I had a dream of making our little commercial sector stronger by bringing together isolated businesses in our field into a new national association. Since then, we have put thousands of hours into this...

The Role of the Executive Director & Board in the Strategic Planning Process

I'm often asked what the role of the Board is in the strategic planning process. The most common answer is that the Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization and therefore should set the strategy. Few people...

Examining the board’s role in fundraising

As the nonprofit sector evolves, and with government funding in decline, more and more organizations are finding that a fundraising board is now a necessity. Realizing this, they then face the challenge of involving their board in fundraising, not always...

Delegation of investment decision-making still an uncertain business

Most Ontario charities are aware - or should be - that they should address the potential for liability arising when their board of directors continues to delegate investment decision making to a discretionary investment fund manager. While a court might...

A ten-step checklist for board recruitment

1. Your mission is your lighthouse (a beacon in the fog) Clearly express your agency's reason for being and make it pervasive in your organization before you look for people who can help achieve long-term goals. (Placing your mission on...

Rebuilding after the storm

A good friend has asked you to join the board of directors of a well known nonprofit. After the first meeting you realize this once flourishing organization is trapped in a blizzard of financial mismanagement. Or perhaps you were the...

Potential for director’s liability substantial

Charitable and nonprofit organizations in Canada are facing a wide variety of legal issues. Sometimes, these issues are of the organization's own making through inadvertence, negligence or misunderstanding, and they may, as a result, be involved in legal proceedings they...

Financial responsibilities of not-for-profit boards

Roles and Responsibilities The management of an organization's finances is one of the least understood, yet most important responsibilities of a board member. This responsibility is on two levels - as an individual board member and as a board collectively....

Directors and officers liability insurance: An overview

This should not be construed as legal advice and is for general information purposes only. Each year, hundreds of non-profit organizations search for liability insurance. This article will help those in search of liability insurance select the most appropriate coverage....

Board structures should reflect the organization, not textbook models

"There is no single `right way' to structure your board," says Michael Burns, a board consultant. "The design must reflect the maturity of the organization and its future needs." Trying to make boards conform to preconceived structures can seriously damage...