Board decisions are not always black and white. But what happens when you’re the lone dissenting vote? It doesn’t mean the rest of the board is careless. Often, it means momentum is strong. Everyone else voted yes.The Executive Director is moving forward.The Board Chair sounds confident. And you’re sitting there thinking: Am I missing something…
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Getting New Board Members up to Speed
It’s unusual for new nonprofit board members to arrive with years of nonprofit experience. More often, they bring a basic understanding of nonprofits and a deep passion for their mission. Good governance starts with good onboarding. So how do organizations get new board members up to speed? Too many board orientations hand you a thick…
Board Members – Am I Doing it “Right”?
Most nonprofit board members quietly wonder if they’re doing it “right.” They don’t ask because everyone else seems confident, fluent, and composed. Here’s the truth:Good board service isn’t about having the answers.It’s about asking better questions, showing up prepared, and staying mission-centered when things feel unclear. If you feel uncertain at times, you’re not failing.You’re…
First Board Meeting
I showed up to my first nonprofit board meeting unsure and terrified. Everyone else seemed to know exactly what they were doing.They referenced policies I’d never seen.They used acronyms I didn’t understand.They debated financials like they’d been reading balance sheets since birth. And I sat there thinking:Did I make a mistake saying yes to this?…
Common Nonprofit Terms Leaders Often Misunderstand
Why This Matters for Nonprofit Leaders Common Nonprofit Terms That Are Often Confused When my eldest son was 2–3 years old, we lived near an airport. On many summer days, he’d play in the backyard while planes flew overhead. I’d say, “Plane,” and he would stop, stand up, point, and excitedly shout, “Plane!!” One day,…