nonprofit directors

Nonprofits Can Build a Stronger Brand With Internal Marketing

Nonprofits Can Build a Stronger Brand With Internal Marketing

By: Eugene Fram

Nonprofit branding is an important topic to nonprofit directors and managers with nonprofits wanting to differentiate their services, images and reputations. Some organizations are spending substantial dollars to assess and build their brands.

Most nonprofits with which I have had contact are not aware whether not all their employees and board directors are brand loyal to their nonprofit organization. Many independent contributors (accountants, counselors, social workers, trade association executives, etc.), who work for nonprofits, see their loyalties as being related to their professions not their employing organizations. (more…)

Social Media and The Nonprofit Board

Although social media are disruptive technologies, I don’t think many nonprofit boards have given  sufficient thought to what they may mean to their organizations currently, beyond marketing, and in the future.   Following is a link targeted to the business community, which I think should be of interest to nonprofit boards.

bit.ly/RxhETF

How successful Nonprofit Chief Executives Should Operate

How successful Nonprofit Chief Executives Should Operate

By: Eugene Fram

Successful nonprofit chief executives, like those in the commercial positions, should  share similar perspectives and beliefs.  Author Jeff Haden  writing in the June 25th issue of INC Magazine. about for-profit executives suggests, “9 Beliefs of Remarkably Successful People.”  Following is his list and how I see how his ideas may apply to  chief executives of nonprofit organizations

(more…)

How Long Should A Nonprofit Director Serve?

How Long Should A Nonprofit Director Serve?

By: Eugene Fram

Nonprofit board terms are like clothing sizes.  They come in all shapes and sizes!

Some terms are as short as two years, with the charter specifying the person remain off the board for one year.  Other charters have systems that allow a director to remain for decades.  The most common format allows the director a two three-year terms, with some exceptions relating to whether the person is originally filing an interim year or chairs the board in his/or her final year. (more…)

Nonprofit CEOs & Board Directors: How Expert Is Your CFO?

Nonprofit CEOs & Board Directors:  How Expert Is Your CFO?

By: Eugene Fram

When hiring a chief financial officer (CFO), nonprofit organizations often find themselves with a major challenge, since many financial and accounting functions are identical.  To compete, the organization may need to offer higher salaries that are somewhat competitive with for-profit organizations.  Consequently, some trim the level of expertise required to fill the position. This is a dangerous move, especially if the organization is growing.  Also the current CFO, if hired five or ten years ago, may not be up to date and make a major error that will harm the organization’s reputation, leading to a board restructuring and/or firing the CEO. (more…)

Time-Compressed Non Profit Directors – Recruit & Retain Them!

Time-Compressed Non Profit Directors – Recruit & Retain Them! 

By: Eugene Fram

Every nonprofit board has had the experience of having a board position open and being unable to fill it with a highly qualified person.  The usual response from qualified candidates is that he/she is too busy.  However, the real reasons, never one if speaking privately, are that they perceive the nonprofit decision process to be too slow, board agendas are loaded with minutiae, presentations take up more time than they should, discussion are not focused, etc. 

Following is a list of selling points to such people, (!<–more–>) if a board can deliver on them!

  • We are careful to make wise use of your valuable time.
  • Board meetings will begin and end of time, a quorum will be present at the beginning.
  • Board meeting binders will be sent a week ahead of time. 
  • The agenda also will be sent out a week ahead of time.
  • If one misses a meeting, the minutes will be available within a week.
  • If one is going to be traveling, we have facility to attend by conference call.
  • Divisional staff reports will each have a time limit and be well prepared in advance so the agenda can be completed as scheduled.
  • Policy and strategic topics will be the focus of the meetings, not operating minutiae. 
  • Board committee work will be aligned with the candidate’s interests and background. 
  • The board chair and/or CEO will meet with each board members several times a year to make sure the director perceives the board experiences are in line with the above guidelines.

Blog Site: http://bit.ly/yfRZpz

 

 

Changing Nonprofit Boards – Overcoming Nostalgia.

Changing Nonprofit Boards – Overcoming Nostalgia.

By: Eugene Fram

In many US locations, there are several nonprofit organizations that are over a century old.  In contrast, only a handful of the Fortune 500 companies claim this longevity level.  However, when it comes to making organizational changes on nonprofit boards, < –more — > such as the board should set policy an leave operations entirely to management, board veterans often just don’t buy the idea.  

These persons feel that board members have to know operational details if the board is to assist the chief executive to achieve the organization’s mission.Some of these board veterans have nostalgic visions of how things used to be when the organization was a small one.  Others fear that if they give up their operational roles, the organization will not be the “family” or caring organization they perceived they knew.

If these directors are continuing to make good board contributions, the board chair and CEO need to try to persuade them that with growth, there has to be movements to meet changing times and to hire qualified managers and staff.   New policy challenges need to be developed for these veteran directors.  However, don’t be surprised if a few simply resign their board positions. 

Source: Policy vs. Paper Clips, Third Edition,  (2011), pp. 99-100

My blog site: http://bit.ly/yfRZpz

 

 

 

Nonprofit & Trustee Director’s Alert! Watch your organization’s reputation.

Nonprofit & Trustee Directors Alert!  Watch your organization’s reputation.

In contrast to business firms, nonprofit and trustee boards can be against a brick wall when the reputations of their organizations go south.   In the commercial environment, (more…)