What's a Board to Do?

Being involved with many boards over the years, I've realised that one of the most important things that is often overlooked is the job of the board. Usually, they just jump right in and start doing something. The problem is that while board members have good intentions, they are often not doing the most important things. A governing board must be sure that they are spending their time doing what others in the organization cannot do. My experience has been that most non profit boards that I have been a part of in the past were more of an accountability group to the staff and/or a fund-raising group for the staff. While these are noble efforts, it is not the essence of what a board should do. A governing board should define the most important issues of both purpose and ethics. Purpose has to do with defining what the organization is for. Ethics has to do with keeping the organization out of any activities that would jeopardize the good name of the organization. When we break it down, these two functions are what a board must be focused on at all times. Where are we going, and are we getting there without losing our integrity.