I 501(c) You - The Podcast for NonProfit Board Members

This week, we discuss the constant nature of board recruitment. Just because you recently onboarded this year's board members does not mean you can stop. Next year will come, board members will roll off, and new members are needed to come onto the board.

Timestamps:

00:00 Always be recruiting board members

00:40 Use your board matrix

01:40 Put them on a committee

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For many organizations, July 1st marks the beginning of the new fiscal year. This is a great time to onboard new board members, energize your staff with a new budget, and strategize for the new year. In this episode, we discuss a 6-step process to identify your organization's strategic direction in 2 hours. As a board, you do not need to spend all day discussing your direction. You can get your organization's priorities within 120 ...

It is the week of July 4th, a perfect time for your executive director to take a vacation. As a board member, you should ensure that your executive director is taking time off to be able to refresh and continue to drive the mission forward. Many leaders of organizations do not take adequate time off, leading to burn out and lower retention rates. Make sure your Executive Director is taking time off this week.

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This week, we speak with Chris Williams, owner of Aginto and Advisory Board Chair of Salvation Army Manatee County. Chris came to Salvation Army first as a client, then as a volunteer, and after some time was asked to join the board and then be board chair. In this episode, we discuss how Chris approaches his board meetings, communicating with other board members and with the executive director, and Chris provides words of advice f...

Last week, we discussed retaining your CEO or executive director. This week, we transition to executive succession planning. We discuss having a plan for an acting CEO, an interim CEO, and a rising CEO. Many organizations want to bring along the next leader while their current CEO is still running the show. However, not every organization has that luxury and needs to have a plan in case the CEO has to step away in an emergency.

Tim...

This week, we tackle the subject of executive retention planning. More specifically, the importance of performance plans, compensation, and bonus structure. High performers want to know how to improve, and they want compensation tied to performance. A problem comes when boards do not clearly define the CEO/ED's bonus structure or compensation plan. It is the board’s role to ensure proper compensation strategy. To do this, they must...

This week, we speak with Brian Carter and Jacob Kinsel, both are CPAs at Mauldin & Jenkins. Together, Brian and Jacob provide a masterclass on the financial statements and audits for nonprofit board members. Including an overview of the 990, what boards should be aware of during the audit process, and how nonprofit boards can mitigate fraud. If you listen to any part of this episode, listen to 14:12, where Brian highlights 7 ar...

Recently, I had the pleasure of facilitating a board retreat with a high performing, aligned, and productive board. In this episode, I discuss the 5 observations I have from working with this nonprofit board.

Timestamps:

00:00 5 observations of a high performing board

01:20 Aligned on the mission

01:40 Understands its role

02:15 They were educated and prepared

03:00 Productive discussion

03:40 They had fun

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This week we speak with the author of "The Ultimate Guide for New Nonprofit CEOs", Brian Quail. Brian worked in nonprofits for 40 years, was a CEO for 25, and raised over $1 billion for his organizations across his career. In this episode, we focus on the 5 frameworks from Brian's book: “90 Days," “Your Team," “The Financials," “Donor Relationships," and “The Who." These 5 frameworks provide a new nonprofit CEO with the key to bein...

July 1st brings in a new fiscal year for many nonprofit organizations. As we approach this time of transition, we discuss two ways to get your new board aligned. In your first board meeting with your new board, discuss the mission. What does the mission mean to each person? It is also important to discuss what is NOT the mission. Mission creep can be a dangerous factor to nonprofit organizations. This time of the year is also a goo...

This week we speak with Kerry Diaz, a former practicing attorney, turned nonprofit CEO, board member, entrepreneur, and now nonprofit consultant. Together, we discuss Kerry's transition from board member to CEO, succession planning best practices, and traits that make an effective nonprofit CEO and board member.

Contact Kerry:

kerryadiaz@gmail.com

(561)-307-0844

Timestamps:

00:00 Introducing Kerry Diaz and her winding road to nonpr...

There might come a time when a board member is not showing up for meetings, reviewing meeting materials, or being a good steward of the organization. It is the role of the board chair to step in and have a conversation with that board member. Remember, board members are volunteers, so a delicate balance has to be reached. Oftentimes, people feel obligated to fulfill their commitment as board members, but life gets in the way. Peopl...

This week, we speak with the Honorable Adelaide “Alex” Sink. Alex served as Florida’s elected Chief Financial Officer from 2007 to 2011. Prior to elected office, Alex had a 26-year career at Bank of America where she served on several nonprofit boards. 

We discuss how serving on nonprofit boards helped her banking and political career, evaluating and eliminating conflicts of interest, and the power of relationships made through boa...

A nonprofit's #1 currency is trust.  Any fraudulent activity by a nonprofit agency negates this trust. The Board has a role and responsibility to minimize the risk of fraud. This week, we discuss 10 tips for nonprofit boards to help mitigate fraud in their organizations.

Timestamps:

00:00 How nonprofit boards can mitigate fraud risk

01:40 #1-3 - Establish a Strong Ethical Culture, Implement Clear Policies and Procedures, Segregatio...

This week, we speak with Hal Williams. Hal is the creator of Results 1st and the author of the new book “Put Results First”.  Results 1st helps individuals and groups focus on results in each of their functions, activities, processes, and structures.

Together, Michael and Hal dive into the 4 parts of the book, including discussions on defining success before designing a program, how to improve nonprofit accomplishment, and being “a...

In recent interactions with nonprofit board members, there has been a difference in familiarity regarding the operational nuances between for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Given that many board members do not interact with the organization on a daily basis, there may be unintentional assumptions about how nonprofits operate. In this episode, we dive into the fundamental similarities and differences between nonprofit and for-p...

This week, we speak with Malcolm MacLeod. Malcolm is a board chair, retired nonprofit CEO, lawyer, and author of the book entitled, “The Practice of Philanthropy: A Guide for Foundation Boards and Staff.” Malcolm's book is the culmination of 19 years of experience spent as the president and CEO of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. Those 19 years were not all smooth sailing. Malcolm had to learn by trial and error. He wished he ha...

In this episode, Michael shares insights from the Florida Philanthropic Network Annual Summit, highlighting five reasons why nonprofit professionals should attend conferences. He emphasizes networking, learning, idea generation, growth through association, and team building as essential benefits. Michael urges nonprofit leaders and board members to prioritize conference participation for personal and organizational development. Joi...

This week, we speak with Anne LeBaron, CEO of Take Stock in Children Manatee. Anne had quite the career in the for-profit world as former Sales, Marketing, HR and Recruiting manager before joining Take Stock Manatee as the CEO. Take Stock in Children Manatee is a mentor based organization that partners students with a mentor to earn a scholarship upon graduation from high school. Anne shares her experience transitioning from the fo...