According to nonprofit corporation law, a foundation director or trustee must meet certain standards of conduct and attend to his or her responsibilities to the organization—otherwise referred to as the duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience. Many organizations circulate an explicit code of duties and responsibilities. On taking office, trustees review... Read More
Board Meeting Checklist Before the Meeting: Let trustees know the meeting date, place, and time well in advance. Assign or remind trustees of board roles and tasks, so they can come prepared. Plan the meeting with a facilitator (if appropriate) and get input from the rest of the board. Establish clear goals for the meeting.... Read More
Healthy foundation boards do all of the following to reinvigorate themselves—each step feeding into the others: Identify—Determine what your board needs (e.g., skills, knowledge, perspective, connections; diversity of age, gender, ethnicity, or other demographic factors) and those sources that can direct you to potential trustees possessing the characteristics your board is seeking. Cultivate—Build an inclusive... Read More