Governance Q&A: Should I tell my boss that I’m looking for a new job?

My small charity serves a worthy cause and really depends on my work as program coordinator. There are only three other staff members. But there is no career path for me, and after six years it is time for a...

How staff can support their board of directors

The board of directors is elected by members and the board is accountable to the members. boards delegate the implementation of their policies and plans to staff and committees, but the board remains accountable to members for the outcomes. They...

Good governance and board/staff relations

Woody Allen once said that: "Eighty percent of life is just showing up." The other 20% is where it gets complicated. Success demands learning, knowledge, creativity, hard work, and pragmatism...more than 'just showing up'. So it is with the demands...

Nine fantastically frugal ways to manage nonprofit admin costs

It's no big secret - small, medium, and even large nonprofits have to manage their budget and donors' dollars wisely. Fundraisers know there is one key questions a would-be donor will ask when considering a cause to support. It may...

Governance Q&A: Compensating the board for non-board duties on behalf of the organization

Can our all-volunteer charity pay board members for time-consuming non-board duties on behalf of the organization? Should we? We are located in British Columbia, and our issue involves extensive consultation sessions with the provincial government. Normally, minimum ethical standards include...

Through consultants’ eyes: What they would like nonprofit organizations to know

This week's cover story is the next installment in an ongoing series to help nonprofit organizations see the world from another perspective. The series also includes what funders, volunteers, the media, and donors would like the nonprofit sector to know...

Tools for nonprofit leaders: Policies and procedures

This is the third in a series of articles offering tools to not-for-profit leaders. The first article described the strategic plan - your roadmap to lead you to your desired outcomes. Your strategic plan focuses on supporting your mission and...

Voluntary sector board governance – survey says!

Effective board governance in the voluntary sector continues to be a hot topic across the country. Many organizations and foundations struggle mightily with governance issues, decisions, and best practices. Thankfully, that struggle may soon become more manageable. On April 26th,...

Conflicted about conflict of interest?

The provincial chapter (affiliate) of your professional or industry association has just selected you as its representative on the board of its national association. You're informed at your first meeting of the national board, that the Canada Corporations Act obliges...

Mixing it up in boardroom – Exploring the value of board diversity

Having an effective board of directors is as much a part of a nonprofit organization's success as it is for a corporate organization. Board directors help to shape organizational goals and objectives. They keep the organization accountable to its members...