Good board meetings don’t just happen—they’re planned, purposeful, and facilitated. Here’s a practical, listicle-style guide to running meetings that actually deliver results. 1. Clearly Define the Meeting’s Purpose 2. Carefully Prepare Agenda & Tools to...

Board members should not feel like “docile mushrooms—warm and in the dark.” - McFarlan and Epstein’s Nonprofit Boards: A Guide.  This phrase is a vivid reminder that strong governance depends on transparency, engagement, and shared leadership. Effective boards think,...

There’s a meaningful difference between sitting on a board and serving on one. Sitting implies attendance while serving implies stewardship. The most effective board members understand that their role is not ceremonial. Board members are the backbone of nonprofit...

A Guide for Nonprofit Boards A strong chief executive can take your mission further, faster—but only if your board is actively supporting, assessing, and guiding their leadership. One of the most important (and often overlooked) responsibilities of a nonprofit board...

How to Gear Up Your Governance Committee If you’ve ever served on a nonprofit board, you know the difference between one that’s just “getting by” and one that’s really leading. Strong boards ask tough questions, hold themselves accountable, and stay focused on what...

Strong nonprofit boards don’t just check boxes. They reflect, learn, and adapt. One of the most effective ways to improve board performance isn’t a new policy or a retreat, but pausing to ask a few simple questions: How are we doing as individual board members? How am...