Board of Directors

Introduction

Creating the clear, focused and welcoming hub of your organization.

Overview

Neighborhood groups are resident-directed nonprofits. Volunteers do more of the work of neighborhood groups. This is different than a traditional non-profit corporation. In neighborhood associations- the board sets the mission, directions and goals for the group and staff work closely with neighborhood volunteers to develop and implement the group's programs and projects. While neighborhood staff, still play a major role in implementing projects and programs, they stay in greater contact with neighborhood board members, committee volunteers and residents to hear where residents want to direct the neighborhood associationís energy, time and resources.

Page Index

  • Key Issues
  • Common Problems and Solutions
  • Successful Strategies
  • Annotated Web Resources
  • Topic Library
  • Sub-Topics and Vendors


    • Key Issues Related to this Topic

  • The dual roles of neighborhood boards; reaching out and building within. The Boards of Directors of neighborhood associations have the challenging dual role of building the participation of community residents (external role) while successfully operating a nonprofit corporation (internal role). The skills and abilities needed to successfully fulfill these two roles are very different.

  • Representative vs facilitative leadership- while neighborhood residents elect neighborhood board members to act on their behalf, neighborhood boards can run into problems if they take their power too seriously. In the "representative" leadership model board members make decisions for neighborhood residents. In the "facilitative leadership model board members create opportunities for neighborhood residents to come together to voice their diverse opinions and move toward consensus decisions by seeing beyond narrow self interest to discern the common good.

  • Matching the abilities of board members with your needs. To fulfill these pressing external and internal roles, successful neighborhood groups recruit a diversity of residents and stakeholders to serve on their board, who have the range of gifts to meet these needs (i.e., extroverts who can stay in touch with block captains and introverts who like reading financial statements.)

  • Developing a common vision among board members. Successful neighborhood board training sessions develop a common language and vision among the new and returning board members, orienting them to their responsibilities, duties and functions.

  • Training to help board members succeed. While neighborhood volunteers bring a wealth of past experience to their roles, training and support are often needed for them to succeed at, and enjoy completing the individual tasks they take on. Types of training could include how to read financial statements, meeting facilitation skills and training on nonprofit governance (the Carver model, Drucker model, MAP, etc.)

  • Neighborhood groups are resident-directed nonprofits. Volunteers do more of the work of neighborhood groups. This is different than a traditional non-profit corporation. In traditional nonprofits- the board sets the mission, directions and goals for the group and staff do the day to day implementation of the groupís goals and objectives. In neighborhood associations- the board sets the mission, directions and goals for the group and staff work closely with neighborhood volunteers to develop and implement the groupís programs and projects. While neighborhood staff, still play a major role in implementing projects and programs, they stay in greater contact with neighborhood board members, committee volunteers and residents to hear where residents want to direct the neighborhood associationís energy, time and resources.

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    Common Problems and Solutions

  • Ensuring continuity- When new officers are elected to a board it is vitally important that the previous officers take time to meet with the new officers to orient them to their responsibilities and the neighborhoodís personnel, financial and volunteer management systems.

  • Meeting facilitation- neighborhood residents elected to become the president of a neighborhood board often feel un-prepared for the challenge of facilitating effective board meetings. Tensions arise often between allowing people time to voice their views and getting through an agenda on time. Adopting a set of basic ground rules for you board can help. Resources for facilitation training and outside facilitators are listed in the Meeting Facilitation Resources section.

  • Empowering volunteer committees. It is rarely possible for a neighborhood board to carry out all the work of a neighborhood at their monthly meetings. Neighborhood associations often form housing, safety, youth and family, finance, personnel and other committees for volunteers to develop expertise and get things done. Neighborhood boards need to stay informed about the work of volunteer committees and should honor and trust the work being done by committee volunteers to encourage their participation.

  • Working through board/staff conflict. Conflicts between neighborhood staff and volunteers are normal and are to be expected. They can be a great opportunity for developing greater insight and more effective management systems. Organizations are wise to look beyond the individual personalities involved in a conflict to see the underlying issues around the mission, values and structure and results of an organization. Outside consultants can often be very helpful in sorting out staff/ volunteer conflicts. Free or fee-based management consultants & executive coaches can provide a neutral perspective to hear all sides and point to the bigger picture. Mediation programs provide free, confidential trained mediators that have helped a number of neighborhood groups. Finally, Lawyers, including the free advice available at MAP for Nonprofits can help staff and volunteers to sort out legal obligations and options.

  • Fulfilling all legal responsibilities- Understanding and meeting the many legal responsibilities of a non-profit corporation can be challenging. A list of the annual required filings for non-profits is listed in the Conflict Resolution/ Legal/ Insurance section.

  • By laws review- by laws provide the basic structure for nonprofit organizations. Many neighborhood associations find it necessary to review and revise their by laws so that their groupís structure fits their organizationís current values and challenges. Helpful resources for revising by laws are listed under the Conflict Resolution/ Legal/ Insurance section.

  • Clarifying a healthy division of labor and responsibilities between a neighborhood associationís board, staff and committee volunteers is critical for success of a neighborhood and for the longevity of volunteers and staff. Listed below are the roles and responsibilities of board, staff and volunteers that several neighborhood groups with growing numbers of volunteers and good staff/volunteer relations follow. Of course, every group must develop itís own division of labor between staff, volunteers and board members to meet itís own unique needs.

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    Successful Strategies

  • Host Annual Board Retreats- many neighborhood associations orient new and returning board members at an annual training or retreat. Outside facilitators can help train board members on how healthy boards function. Annual retreats are also a good time for a board to do an organization-wide assessment or to develop an annual work plan.

  • Develop a board orientation manual. Many neighborhood associations annually give board members a three-ring binder that includes the organization history, by laws, phone list, committee contacts, annual budget and strategic plan. This handy reference helps busy board members to fulfill their roles.

  • Encourage all board members to volunteer on one project or committee. Board involvement on neighborhood committees helps maintain strong links between you board and these working groups.

  • Allow for time for general community input at monthly meetings. The Kingfield Neighborhood Association has 30 minutes for open feedback from community residents at the start of their monthly meetings. The Downtown neighborhood allows time for in-depth discussion among residents on specific neighborhood topics for part of their monthly meetings. The Lyndale Neighborhood Association has monthly General Membership meetings in which community residents discuss and vote on all neighborhood decisions, with Lyndaleís board of directors setting the agenda and making policy recommendations to the general membership.

  • Sample roles of a neighborhood board- Clarify and share the mission, vision, goals and directions for the organization. Empower the neighborhood staff and committee volunteers to follow their best judgement in carrying out the groupís goals and objectives. Regularly review financial and program reports from neighborhood staff and volunteers to maintain accountability, focus and coordination among committees.

  • Sample roles for neighborhood staff Find and support neighborhood resident volunteers to develop and implement the organizationís goals to fulfill the groupís mission and vision. Work with neighborhood volunteers to develop and implement committee work plans, providing administrative support and maintaining good communication with partner organizations, city departments and residents. Ensure accurate and proper management of the groupís finances. 4. Work with the Treasurer and Committee Chairs to provide clear, regular financial and program updates for review by the neighborhood board.

  • Sample roles for committee volunteers Create a productive, inclusive working environment for residents to develop and implement programs and projects to meet neighborhood goals. Partner with neighborhood staff to maintain good communication with partner organizations, city departments and residents. Work with neighborhood staff to provide clear, regular financial and program updates for review by the board.

  • Customize resources to meet your needs. Because neighborhood groups are volunteer-run and driven, many of the resources and training classes established for the staff and volunteers of traditional non-profits may need to be modified to meet the needs of neighborhood groups.

  • Pass your wisdom on to others. Maintaining organizational memory is a key challenge for neighborhood associations. With a frequent turn-over of volunteers and paid staff, it is vital that easy-to-understand filing systems, financial systems, and volunteer and staff mentoring systems be developed to help the neighborhood develop and maintain its knowledge base and community wisdom over time.

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    Annotated WebLinks

  • Board Roles and Responsibilities Descriptions
    BoardSource   06/14/04
    A resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide

  • website on nonprofit management
    Leader to Leader Institute   06/14/04
    Offers national leadership in the field of nonprofit management. The MN Council of Nonprofits often sponsors management training classes based on the materials and philosophy of the Leader to Leader Institute.

  • Free Management Library
    MAP for Nonprofits   06/14/04
    An excellent, comprehensive nonprofit management library

  • Nonprofit management publications
    Wilder Foundation   06/14/04
    Lists a wide variety of excellent nonprofit management publications

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    Library

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    Vendors by Sub-Topic

    Board training and organizational assessment resources  
        Alliance for Sustainability
        Center for Neighborhoods
        Community Leader Development Program- Family & Children's Service
        Community Leader.Com
        Dayton's Bluff District 4 Community Council
        Full Circle Institute
        George Garnett Community Development Consultant
        MCDA - Community Outreach Department
        Meyer Consulting
        Minneapolis Community Development Agency
        Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program
        Minneapolis Training Program for Neighborhood Organizers
        No Limits for leaders


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