"Think for a moment of the best conversations you've had with friends and colleagues. You were honest with one another-not shy about speaking up but relaxed, even if the topic being discussed was serious in nature. That's the type of conversation The Nonprofit Board Answer Book aims to have with you in the pages that follow. It follows a question-and-answer format, enabling you to quickly find an answer to a burning question you have right now. At the same time, it's easy to pick up and read straight through, either cover to cover or one section at a time. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

About BoardSource	v
Introduction: The World of Nonprofits	xiii
Part 1 Basic Board Functions	1
1 What are the basic responsibilities of a nonprofit board?	3
2 What are the attributes of a high-performing board?	6
3 What is the board's role and involvement in mission, vision, and values?	10
4 When should an organization consider revising its mission statement?	13
5 What is the board's role in strategic planning?	16
6 What is the board's role in fundraising?	21
7 What are the legal duties of a board member?	25
8 What is the board's role in financial management?	28
9 What is the board's role in organizational evaluation?	32
10 How should the board connect and communicate with constituents?	36
11 How does a board function as a team?	40
12 How does the board avoid the extremes of "rubber stamping" and micromanaging?	43
Part 2 Board Structure	47
13 What is the best size for our board?	49
14 How should we structure our board?	52
15 What types of board committees should we have?	55
16 How can our committees be most effective?	58
17 Does our board need an executive committee?	62
18 Should our board have advisory councils?	66
19 What is the role of the board chair?	70
20 What is the ideal relationship between the board chair and the chief executive?	74
21 What board officers should we have?	80
22 How should we select our board officers?	83
Part 3 Selection and Development of Board Members	87
23 How can we recruit active, involved board members?	89
24 What is the chief executive's role in board recruitment?	94
25 How can a membership organization build an effective board?	96
26 How can our board become more diverse?	99
27 What does a prospective board member need to know?	102
28 What should we include in our board orientation?	108
29 Should members of the same family serve on a board?	111
30 Should constituents serve on the board?	114
31 What should we do about uninvolved board members?	116
32 Should we have term limits for board members?	121
33 How can we engage former board members and chief executives?	124
34 Should board members be compensated?	127
35 Should board members be evaluated periodically?	131
36 How can our board assess and improve its own performance?	134
Part 4 Board and Committee Meetings	139
37 Is a board legally required to hold open meetings?	141
38 How often and where should we meet?	143
39 How can we improve our meetings?	146
40 How is a retreat different from a board meeting?	152
41 Who should attend board meetings and what are their roles?	154
42 How should staff members participate in board and committee meetings?	157
43 What are the different ways boards make decisions?	161
44 What if a board member opposes a board decision?	164
45 How should board minutes be written, approved, and kept?	167
46 How can technology improve board and committee meetings?	170
Part 5 The Board's Role as a Fiduciary	175
47 How does a board help ensure the organization's long-term viability?	177
48 What does the board need to know about reserves and investments?	181
49 What is the board's role in the budget?	186
50 What is the board's role in the annual financial audit?	189
51 What should we do if the finances seem amiss?	193
52 What conflict-of-interest policies should we adopt?	198
53 How can we protect the organization-and ourselves-from lawsuits?	203
54 What is a Form 990?	209
55 Does every board member have to make a personal gift?	211
56 How can we generate revenue beyond fundraising?	214
57 How do we, as a nonprofit, operate a for-profit subsidiary?	218
58 What's the best way to keep track of board policies?	224
Part 6 Board-Staff Relations	229
59 Why should a nonprofit organization designate a chief executive?	231
60 What is the board's involvement in staff selection and management?	235
61 Should the chief executive have a vote on the board?	238
62 Should board members be hired as staff members?	240
63 How should we evaluate the chief executive?	242
64 How do we set fair compensation for the chief executive and the staff?	246
65 What is the chief executive's role in improving the board?	250
66 What is the board's role in relation to the staff?	254
67 How can the senior staff contribute to board effectiveness?	257
68 How can we facilitate the end of a chief executive's employment?	261
69 What characteristics should we look for in a new chief executive?	267
70 How do we find a new chief executive?	271
Part 7 Organizational Change	277
71 What is the typical lifecycle for a nonprofit organization?	279
72 How do we ensure that the organization thrives after the founders depart?	283
73 When should we enter into strategic alliances with other organizations?	286
74 When should we consider a merger or acquisition?	289
75 How can we expand the organization's scope to an international level?	294
76 Should our charitable organization engage in lobbying?	299
77 How should we respond to an organizational emergency or controversy?	302
78 When should a nonprofit hire a consultant?	306
79 When should the board consider closing a nonprofit organization?	308
80 How does the board keep up with organizational change?	311
Conclusion	315
Index	319

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.