The volunteer nonprofit board:  Legally, it’s in charge.  Sometimes it oversees a professional staff.  Sometimes it’s a “hands-on board” that rolls up their sleeves and does the work themselves.  Either way, all the challenges and possibilities of working as a team come to the fore.  It’s not an easy job!

Nonprofit leaders must invest the time to build a strong board.   Pam Bruns of the Cause Consultancy, who led a program on this topic last week, asks: Would you hire someone, show them to their desk, and just leave them alone to figure things out?  Of course not!  You want to give them the tools to succeed on the job. 

Pam emphasized that nonprofit leaders should spend personal time with each board member, to match their unique individual skills with organization needs. 

Leaders should also make careful use of the precious little group time the board spends together.  Too often, this time is spent reporting about the past instead of planning for the future.

Leaders should give regular attention to board building.  Here's a great tip from Susan McGovern, Executive Director of Diabetes Dayton.  She’s made a habit of updating her board once every week about a challenge the organization is facing (and possible solutions), or a story about how Diabetes Dayton changed a life that week.  This habit gives board members something to ponder, a positive message to share, a reason to be proud.  It keeps them connected.

You can invest in your expertise as a board-builder with these resources...

Blue Avocado is a free nonprofit newsletter with good food for thought, including its regular column Board Cafe.

BoardSource is the leading source of expert help for nonprofit boards.  Its handbooks have the essential information board members should know:

• The Board Building Cycle
• Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards
• Structures and Practices of Nonprofit Boards
• Legal Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards
• Financial Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards
• Fundraising Responsibilites of Nonprofit Boards
• The Nonprofit Board's Role in Planning and Evaluation 

	This workbook covers what every board member needs to know about fundraising.  Also see the excellent book Fired Up Fundraising.
	Group-think, rivalry, nitpicking, the board member who won’t talk, the board member who talks too much!  This book offers remedies for all types of problems.  From the author of the Complete Handbook of Business Meetings.
	Nothing is more important than the partnership between the board and the professional staff.  This book outlines expectations of the CEO, the Board Chair and board members.
	If you're considering joining a board, Before You Say Yes will orient you to the responsibilities.  Another vital resource is the Ohio Attorney General's Guide for Charity Board Members.
	A guide to the fundamentals of official record-keeping.  Includes CD-Rom with templates.
	Roberta's Rules poses an alternative method of running a meeting.  And there's always the traditional Robert's Rules.
	How to use visual methods to increase group creativity and encourage dialogue.