Governance Q&A: Should boards recommend candidates for election?

A reader wonders whether it is ethical for a nonprofit organization’s board of directors to recommend candidates to fill vacancies.

Governance Q&A: Can staff be forced into shared service agreements?

Can my nonprofit make me serve another organization without my consent?

Governance Q&A: When membership is not defined

Our bylaws do not define a “member” and we have no membership fee. Is it ethical to just let all adult attendees at the upcoming annual general meeting vote? Or all volunteers and staff?

Governance Q&A: Paying for board service?

Some of the directors of my nonprofit want to be paid a per diem for board and board committee work. Is this ethical?

Governance Q&A: Should family members serve on the same board?

My organization just elected a married couple to its board. Is this ethical?

Governance Q&A: Board service while job searching

I was invited to sit on the board of directors for a charitable organization. I am looking for work in the charity sector, including this organization. Is it a conflict of interest for me to accept?

Governance Q&A: Representatives who vote against their chapter

Is it ethical for a chapter representative on a provincial board to vote against her own chapter?

Governance Q&A: Board and funder are too close for comfort

I sit on the board of an organization that is greatly intertwined with a major funder. The board members of the major funder are also the only members of my organization.

Governance Q&A: Misrepresentation on social media

I want to ask all my friends to “like” each other’s causes and post very positive messages on social media sites about the work we do. We can give them the words. Why are people saying this is wrong?

Governance Q&A: Leaving a board of directors under difficult conditions

I want to resign from my position on a board of directors due to mismanagement by the board chair. How can I leave on a positive note, with a good reference?