The NonProfit Times - June 1, 2008 - (Page 20)

BOARDS DENNIS C. MILLER Who’s Next? Replacing your board chair doesn’t have to be a struggle I dentifying the board chair-elect (or board president) is a well-established process for many nonprofits. The board chair-elect is usually chosen at the same time as the board chair. While the chair is leading the board’s work, the chair-elect is learning “on the job” about how to ensure that the work is appropriately carried out. However, too often, many nonprofits struggle with identifying someone to step forward to accept the position of board chair (or president). This is true for both large and small organizations. Here are 10 reasons why appointing a new board chair is difficult: 1. Perception that the job requires too much time and too much work; 2. Feelings of lack of “preparedness” or board training by the candidates; 3. Too much board politics or bureaucracy with which to deal; 4. Very few rewards or recognitions for the effort; 5. Board structure and committees are not properly set up and board roles are poorly defined leaving the impression that Finance, Operations and Development Pull Together for Success with Serenic Navigator From the CFO to the Grants Administrator and from the 'HYHORSPHQW0DQDJHUWRWKH9ROXQWHHULQWKH¿HOGWKH6HUHQLF1DYLJDWRU ¿QDQFLDO DQG RSHUDWLRQDO VRIWZDUH VROXWLRQ VXSSRUWV DQG HQKDQFHV WKHXQLTXH ZRUNÀRZ SURFHVVHVRIQRQSUR¿W RUJDQL]DWLRQV 6HUHQLF 1DYLJDWRU JLYHV HDFK WHDP PHPEHU WKH VSHFL¿F IXQFWLRQDOLW\ WKH\ QHHG WR KHOS ~ LQFUHDVH RSHUDWLRQDO HI¿FLHQF\ ~ PDQDJH FDVK ÀRZ ~ VHFXUH QHZ IXQGLQJ ~ JHQHUDWH GHWDLOHG ¿QDQFLDO reports %XLOW RQ WKH 0LFURVRIW '\QDPLFV 1$9IRXQGDWLRQWKH6HUHQLF1DYLJDWRU SURGXFW VXLWH SURYLGHV WKH EURDGHVW VXLWH RI IXOO\ LQWHJUDWHG ¿QDQFLDODQGRSHUDWLRQDOVRIWZDUHSURGXFWVLQWKHQRQSUR¿WLQGXVWU\ )RU\RXUIUHHFRS\RI³$3URIHVVLRQDO*XLGHWR6HOHFWLQJ1RW)RU3UR¿W6RIWZDUH´ E\$6$&RQVXOWDQW&DUOWRQ&ROOLQV please go to www.Serenic.com/guideRUFDOO the president has to do all the work; 6. “I like the organization, but not that much to want the job”; 7. The current board chair has not planned ahead and “groomed”a successor; 8. The current board chair cannot relinquish control of the reins; 9. No one on the board ever discussed the issue during the term of the current board chair; and, 10. When recruiting candidates for the board, their leadership potential was never considered or discussed. All of these can be fixed, ahead of time, of course. Here are 10 specific actions that can be undertaken to eliminate the difficulty of finding someone to replace your current board chair: 1. Immediately begin to assess the leadership talent of current board members. Unless it is absolutely necessary, it is preferred to identify your new board chair from current members. It takes time to get to know your organization and the various issues it is confronting and this is better served by a current member. It is the responsibility of the board chair to develop a successor. 2. Ask your current board chair to begin to identify potential candidates from the current board and begin a series of discussions with the candidates regarding interest in assuming the board chair role and the type of support/training needed. It is the responsibility of the board chair to develop a successor. The board chair should begin to “nurture and develop” the successor the day the person becomes elected board chair. 3. Institute ongoing board training for all current members in all aspects of governance: by-laws, committee structure and committees, strategic planning, fundraising, etc. There should be annual retreats supplemented by other forms of educational programs for board members throughout the year. The more training that is offered, the more likely it is that they will feel “prepared” to take the leap. 4. Consider offering to the chair-elect a professional board coach/mentor to support the transition during the first year in office. Having a trusted professional available to “lend an ear”to the issues facing the new chair and offering practical solutions Boards, page 29 Serenic Software 20 JUNE 1, 2008 THE NONPROFIT TIMES www.nptimes.com http://www.Serenic.com/guide http://www.Serenic.com/guide http://www.nptimes.com

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The NonProfit Times - June 1, 2008 First Kroc Center Set To Open It’s Layoffs And A Lawsuit At ARC In The Twin Cities Hospices Put On Life Support Contents Who...When...Where...How...What? Idol Charities Still Waiting For Funds Heck Of A Job Play On Words Make Endowments Pay Donor Management Software Who’s Next? Joining The Masses Online Email Evangelism Three Corners Business Briefs Fiduciaries And The 990 Calendar United Way Refocusing On Programs, Reducing Affiliates NPT Jobs Resource Directory

The NonProfit Times - June 1, 2008

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