As the member of a nonprofit board, you are accountable for providing financial and legal oversight. This ensures that the organization is operating within its means and is in conformity with state, local and federal laws. Your responsibilities also include putting the interests of the organization above your own, and it is your responsibility to declare any conflicts of interest.
Nonprofit boards provide direction for non-profits through contributing to their organizational culture, strategic focus as well as their effectiveness and financial sustainability. They act as ambassadors for the mission and activities of the organization.
The mission of a non-profit organization should be clearly communicated to its volunteers, staff, supporters, and constituents, and that communication is only possible through advocacy. A committed, passionate board will be more likely stay engaged and will assist in the growth of the organization.
The board is also responsible for establishing and adhering an annual budget, as well as setting up policies that guide the management of the staff and donors of the organization. The trust of the public in the nonprofit is crucial to its success.
Nonprofit boards also have to oversee an executive director, who is ultimately in charge of running the day-today operations for the non-profit. In smaller nonprofits, it’s possible for volunteer directors to also be staff members, but this can quickly become an unsustainable model that prevents the board from focussing on oversight and governance. To be more effective, the board should delegate responsibilities to committees, and the committees should report to the entire board.