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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®








 Good Neighbor Tool Kit: Leading a Charity
Leadership and the Board		  


Nonprofit Nuts and Bolts

The Art of Fundraising

Recruiting Volunteers and Keeping Them Happy

Marketing and Public Relations

Leadership and the Board



Good Neighbor Tool Kit Main Page

Good Neighbor Home Page

   12 Responsibilities of Every Good Board Member

Anyone who agrees to serve on a nonprofit board should be prepared to commit time and personal resources to make the organization successful. Good board members:

1. Stay informed about your organization’s mission and work. They should be expected to learn about and understand both long-term goals and current activities.

2. Are interested in your organization’s field of service. Board members should understand and appreciate your organization’s the area of service by keeping up-to-date on issues and trends.

3. Attend board meetings. Unless you make a special concession, board members should make an honest attempt to attend scheduled meetings.

4. Serve in other capacities as requested. Board members should be prepared to serve on special committees and take on other assignments as necessary.

5. Attend programs and events where their presence will help. Members of the board should attend and lend their support to all major public events.

6. Market the organization. Board members should be fierce advocates of your organization—ready to be spokespersons and to do everything they can to advance its cause privately and publicly.

7. Guard your organization’s financial integrity. Every aspect of your organization’s financial operations should come under the scrutiny of the board. Members should be expected to review financial reports and provide counsel that leads to sound financial management.

8. Monitor your organization’s performance. They should review programs and services for success. Major new programs or thrusts of organizational service should be approved by the board.

9. Are involved with strategic and long-range planning. A board member’s prime responsibility is to focus on the long-term viability and vitality of your organization.

10. Help hire executive staff and monitor their performance. Senior executives—if your organization is large enough to have them—usually serve at the pleasure of the board. Board members should play a part in choosing new executives, and senior executives should report to the board.

11. Are willing to recruit others. Board members must be willing to ask their friends, acquaintances, and associates to become involved in your organization.

12. Actively raise funds. Board members should provide their own philanthropic support to the greatest, most generous extent possible. As well, they should join in helping to raise support from others.

How to Put Your Board to Work >