8 Nonprofit Board Of Directors Responsibilities | Starting A Nonprofit

What are the roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board of directors? Here are 8 board responsibilities you need to know. #Nonprofit #leadership #Nonprofits
I work full time for the 501c3 nonprofit I started many years ago and recruiting and managing a Board of Directors was a key part of making the organization a success! When starting a nonprofit or growing one, nonprofit board members need to understand their responsibilities clearly so they can lead and help the organization fundraise, operate programs, and more effectively.
If you are starting or growing a 501c3 nonprofit organization, thinking about it, or interested in serving on a Nonprofit board of directors, I hope this helps!
Need some help? My Nonprofit FOUNDER TO FULL-TIME ACADEMY is now open!! foundertofulltime.com/
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// MORE ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Amber, a nonprofit founder, Executive Director, and public speaker on social impact, changemaking, nonprofits, leadership, and more.
Join my newsletter to receive updates and resources for changemakers and nonprofit leaders: tinyurl.com/nonprofitsandchan...
FOUNDER TO FULL-TIME ACADEMY: Want some training and guidance on starting a nonprofit (and potentially even working for that nonprofit full-time someday?)? Check out my online training courses at my Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy! foundertofulltime.com/
Want me to come speak at your business, college, school, or event? Check out my site: ambermsmith.com/
On Facebook? Talk to me and other change makers about social change, nonprofits, social enterprise, leadership and more in my Facebook group, Change the World or Bust: / changetheworldorbust
I'm also on Twitter: / ambermelsmith

Пікірлер: 54

  • @AmberMelanieSmith
    @AmberMelanieSmith3 жыл бұрын

    Looking for resources, funding and other opportunities, info about starting a nonprofit, social impact, changemaking and more? Join my newsletter! - tinyurl.com/nonprofitsandchangemakers

  • @brob4633

    @brob4633

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @srlynn12
    @srlynn123 жыл бұрын

    Your videos definitely keep me on track. It’s great material thank you for your time and sharing the content.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure!!

  • @harlemdakey
    @harlemdakey3 жыл бұрын

    I love how you break things down. Good stuff.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks :D

  • @arunasharma9432
    @arunasharma9432 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video. I hope, I will be successful in my journey.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    Жыл бұрын

    All the best!

  • @faevoryn6578
    @faevoryn65783 жыл бұрын

    This is good food for thought.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hope you found it helpful!

  • @themissinglink1459
    @themissinglink14598 ай бұрын

    I'm looking to become a board member and having not done so in the past, this was helpful to gain a better understanding of what I'm getting myself into to.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    8 ай бұрын

    Yay! Glad to hear it!

  • @Lighthouse_Audio
    @Lighthouse_Audio3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. :)

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @debramoseki
    @debramoseki2 жыл бұрын

    Very informative, Iv recently started an NPO.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @arinasan247
    @arinasan2472 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hope it was helpful!

  • @ryanh1335
    @ryanh13353 жыл бұрын

    I feel board members should be selected, in part, by their ability to empathize with the customer. My nonprofit's board members are doctors and lawyers, but we serve the poor. I feel they really don't understand the needs of the recipients.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    I like that. Many nonprofit boards include members of the group they serve too, for that very purpose.

  • @thegreatraleighcleanup9114
    @thegreatraleighcleanup91143 жыл бұрын

    That gas shortage example hit real close to home lol!!

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    Might have been inspired by real life. 😅

  • @ariki5173
    @ariki51733 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoying your insightful videos, watching from Sydney Australia. Might sound like a silly question but, do board members earn a wage/salary or what do they gain from being a board member apart from the obvious. Thank you

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey there! I am not sure if some of the laws are different in Australia, but in the USA, no, generally board members of nonprofits do not get paid. They can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, but not paid. Board members of nonprofits are not the same as board members in a for-profit business; in a nonprofit there are no stakeholders receiving any dividends / profits - all revenue goes back into serving the nonprofit mission. Nonprofits can have paid staff - but paid staff can't also be a board member that votes on issues related to them, like their own salary or whether to hire themselves (conflict of interest).

  • @ariki5173

    @ariki5173

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AmberMelanieSmith great! Thank you for this information!

  • @MauriceRivers415
    @MauriceRivers4153 ай бұрын

    Board members are there to help with pushing the mission of the organization forward and/or contribute financially. They should be at the forefront to bring ideas, and networks that will help to push the organization forward: that is what you call a "working board". Although they are not employees, they have duties that must be fulfilled. They also assist in advising the Executive Director on areas where the organization can grow and develop. You should not put people on your board who : - Do not contribute financially - Do not assist with efforts for fundraising - Do not attend or support your events - Are belligerent, rude and combative to staff and other board members - Are not involved in the advancement and development of the organization - Are not receptive to new & current ideas, methods or technology that can save the organization time - Do not assist in growing a network that will assist with advancing the development of the organization - Have been on the board for 8+ years and complain without offering solutions (dead weight) That is the job and duty of board members.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 ай бұрын

    Good list!

  • @honeyvitagliano3227
    @honeyvitagliano32275 ай бұрын

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    5 ай бұрын

    😋

  • @Lighthouse_Audio
    @Lighthouse_Audio3 жыл бұрын

    Im not sure if you have a video for this (how to find the right board members for your cause). Tips on conversing with them and inviting them to be a part of the board) persuasion…. What works what generally doesn’t.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    In fact I do! :) Check out my whole Board of Directors playlist: kzread.info/head/PL-JB-jNZz_qBbUS8LOLteCXbkCpCeXA9n

  • @Lighthouse_Audio

    @Lighthouse_Audio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you 😊

  • @asana_awakening
    @asana_awakening3 жыл бұрын

    When someone’s board term limit is up, can they be reselected for the same position again or does it have to be a completely different person? For instance, can they be elected again to fill the role if everyone is happy with that current board member or is that illegal/frowned upon?

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Leah! Sure, if your bylaws state that board members can be re-elected, and all the board members want to re-elect that person for another term, they can certainly vote to do so. To best serve the community it is ideal to have fresh perspectives regularly though so I wouldn't recommend always having the same people. (Funders may hesitate if they see that too.)

  • @asana_awakening

    @asana_awakening

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AmberMelanieSmith okay! Thank you! I’m in the process of forming my nonprofit so we haven’t completely put together the by-laws yet. I’m of course open to having new board members; the idea just scares me a bit because I’m so in love with the board I’ve put together now & their dedication to our mission! Is there a recommendation for the typical board term?

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@asana_awakening I get that. :) But keep in mind even the most passionate, awesome board members will want to leave the board at some point - burnout, pursuing other interests, life changes. It happens. Better to be set up to welcome new people regularly and manage smooth transitions. Create those solid systems and it will be great. Don't be scared of having new board members - instead, think of all the amazing people with amazing talents you just haven't met yet who might make AWESOME board members later!

  • @asana_awakening

    @asana_awakening

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AmberMelanieSmith makes sense! Thank you!

  • @williammai7571
    @williammai75713 жыл бұрын

    Regarding the first one, the leader in our content team has her non-profit organizattion. Thus, i feel like she spends most of her spare time on her cause, not us. Is it a sign of conflict of interest? Thanks

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    It is certainly possible for someone to serve on two different nonprofit boards or teams at the same time (I know many who do it!). Conflicts of Interest would arise if the two orgs might be competing for the same funding source, or a team member is unethically using one organization's private contacts or resources to benefit the other organization, without the board's approval.

  • @candice-leeclifton3691
    @candice-leeclifton3691 Жыл бұрын

    I am starting a Non-profit in conjunction with a for Profit. The for Profit is a PR Consultantancy. The Non profit is an organization that raises funds to help, support and create Social Entrepreneur. A the founder, I would like to be the Executive Director and do the PR and raising funds through my PR ability. Is this a conflict of interest?

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey there! That may be a conflict of interest.. consult an attorney though.

  • @davidnims7627
    @davidnims76272 жыл бұрын

    May we work together Amber, please. Or professional relationship management of SAG-AFTRA Local Los Angeles Member Since 1981

  • @donnamariahteresagoodwin4281
    @donnamariahteresagoodwin42812 жыл бұрын

    I have a question, Mrs Amber, Who pays the board of Directors?

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Donna, in nonprofits, the Board is generally unpaid volunteers. Nonprofits can have paid staff, but the staff traditionally does not have a board vote.

  • @motleyassortment5512
    @motleyassortment55129 күн бұрын

    So if the board votes to hire you and determine your salary, , as the founder of the non profit organization. Can the board vote to kick the CEO /Founder of the non profit? I hate to start one since I plan to privately fund everything myself in order to help the homeless get permanent housing and a job training.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    8 күн бұрын

    Hi there! The Board hires and can fire the Executive Director, in most cases, yes. If you privately fund everything you are probably looking at a private foundation vs a public charity, as public charities require donations from more than one person to retain its 501c3 tax exempt status.

  • @patKslm
    @patKslm2 жыл бұрын

    How many board members a newly started nonprofit should have??

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    2 жыл бұрын

    Depends on location; in many locations in the USA the bare minimum is 3, but you can determine your max in your organization bylaws.

  • @catherinemarshall3003
    @catherinemarshall3003Ай бұрын

    So, if you and a couple of your friends and family decide to start a nonprofit, elect yourselves as the board of directors/ED, as all unpaid staff, is that conflict of interest? It seems like that should be something you're allowed to do.

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    Ай бұрын

    If you're unpaid volunteers, you can do this, but people who are related to each other by blood or business may not be able to vote separately. Basically the government says, "if we're going to give you these tax exempt privileges, you can't be owned by one person, you have to be owned by the community."

  • @praiseraiser2913
    @praiseraiser29132 жыл бұрын

    Keep the Directors occupied... and they will never get "bored" 😂

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hehe

  • @ryanh1335
    @ryanh13353 жыл бұрын

    .

  • @AmberMelanieSmith

    @AmberMelanieSmith

    3 жыл бұрын

    Indeed. 🙃