When you serve on the board of a nonprofit organization, your responsibilities include providing financial and legal oversight. These responsibilities ensure that the nonprofit operates within its means and is in compliance with local laws, state laws and federal regulations. Your responsibilities also include putting the interests of the organization above your own. Likewise, it is your responsibility to declare any conflicts of interests.
Nonprofit boards help nonprofits in a variety of ways, including by helping to improve their culture by making sure they are focused on their strategic goals and ensuring financial sustainability. They act as ambassadors for the mission and activities of the organization.
The mission of a nonprofit should be clearly communicated to its staff, volunteers, supporters, and constituents and this communication is only possible through advocacy. A committed, passionate board will be more likely to stay involved and help the organization flourish.
The board is accountable to establish and adhere to a budget each year, as well establishing policies to guide the management of employees as well as donors. The trust of the public in the organization is essential to its success.
Nonprofit boards are also responsible to oversee a chief executive, who is accountable for the day-to-day operations of the organization. In smaller nonprofits, it’s possible for volunteers to also be staff members, but this could soon become an unsustainable model that prevents the board from having a focus on governance and oversight. To be more efficient the board should delegate responsibility to committees, and these committees will report back to the board in general.