How does a CEO turn down advice about operations from the board?
By: Eugene Fram
With difficulty! It all depends on the kind of culture that has been established on the board. Ideally the CEO should be comfortable (more…)
non-profit management
Should a nonprofit board allow its CEO to borrow money?
Should a nonprofit board allow its CEO to borrow money?
By: Eugene Fram
Yes. However the CEO has complete discretion as long as he or she works within the budget and budgetary policies. But if any major changes are needed, the (more…)
Once Again: What Type of Leaders Do Nonprofits Need in Turbulent Times?
Once Again: What Type of Leaders Do Nonprofits Need in Turbulent Times?
By Eugene Fram
Reporter Thomas Betar, writing in the August 5, 2012 issue of the Desert News, makes some interesting points about current leadership challenges (more…)
How Can Nonprofit Boards More Clearly Define Operational Responsibilities?
How Can Nonprofit Boards More Clearly Define Operational Responsibilities?
My experience shows that well functioning nonprofit boards establish and monitor the organization’s policies. The board operates through the president/CEO. In turn, the CEO executes policy and is responsible for the prudent and creative operations of the organization. In this role, the CEO exercises leadership resulting in the effective and efficient use of board and of other volunteer time.
Although defining what are policy issues and what are operation issues is not always clear, for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, following is a useful set of guidelines (more…)
Using Imperfict Metrics Well; Tracking Progress And Driving Change
This article on nonprofit evaluation has appeared in a shortened version in a previous blog. However, based on the attention it has received from all over the world, I thought that some viewers might like a direct link to the full article.
A 21st Century Nonprofit Board of Directors – A Volunteer Director’s View
A 21st Century Nonprofit Board of Directors – A Volunteer Director’s View
By: Eugene Fram
Following are my estimates of the attributes a nonprofit board needs to be considered a high performing board in the 21st century.
Has organizational professionalism, flexibility & efficiency
• Operating managers consider themselves (more…)
Nonprofit & Trustees Personal Liabilities: Another Penn State Impact
Nonprofit & Trustees Personal Liabilities: Another Penn State Impact
By Eugene Fram
All nonprofit organizations should continue to follow the news from Penn state, especially with the insurer’s negative reactions to paying claims related to directors & officers personal liability for the Sandusky’s misdeeds.*
To what extent should nonprofits carry Director & Officers (D&O) insurance?
For example, I recently encountered a nonprofit board (more…)
Do Nonprofit & Trustee Boards Need A Conflict of Interest ‘Parliamentarian”? –Second in a series of two.
Do Nonprofit & Trustee Boards Need A Conflict of Interest ‘Parliamentarian”? –Second in a series of two.
By Eugene Fram
There is ample news about conflict of interest on nonprofit and trustee boards. Based on several decades of board experience, I can’t remember a single instance where the topic has become a material issue. However, Google, taking only .29 seconds, lists over about 422,000 placements, related solely to nonprofit and trustee boards. (more…)
Interesting Conflict? Two Nonprofits Boards, Seeking Same Funding & Clients, Has One or More Board Directors Who Are the Same? — First of a series of two.
Interesting Conflict? Two Nonprofits Boards, Seeking Same Funding & Clients, Has One or More Board Directors Who Are the Same? — First of a series of two.
By Eugene Fram
It is not unusual to for two “competing” nonprofit’s to have a person(s) who fills a position on both boards. Examples: universities, and health care agencies. This dual volunteer deployment (more…)
Nonprofit & Trustee Boards: Any Side Effects From Health Care Act?
Nonprofit & Trustee Boards: Any Side Effects From Health Care Act?
By: Eugene Fram
Obviously the Supreme Court’s health care decision will have significant impacts on nonprofit and trustee boards of health related organizations. However, like any large dose of medicine, the dose from the health care act will have kinetic effects on the cultures and operations of other types of nonprofit and trustee boards. They can range from Animal shelters to Zoos. Here are some, which I think are the most obvious. (more…)
Nonprofit Management 