8 Nonprofit Board Of Directors Responsibilities | Starting A Nonprofit

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

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[@brob4633]

Thank you

[@ryanh1335]

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]

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

[@candice-leeclifton3691]

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]

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

[@MauriceRivers415]

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]

Good list!

[@harlemdakey]

I love how you break things down. Good stuff.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks :D

[@srlynn12]

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

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

My pleasure!!

[@Lighthouse_Audio]

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]

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

[@Lighthouse_Audio]

Thank you 😊

[@amandajones661]

What are the responsibilities of Nonprofit Board of Trustees?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Definitely watch through the video if you haven't had a chance yet - the video covers the responsibilities!

[@catherinemarshall3003]

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]

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."

[@motleyassortment5512]

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]

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.

[@asana_awakening]

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]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

@@AmberMelanieSmith makes sense! Thank you!

[@themissinglink1459]

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]

Yay! Glad to hear it!

[@arunasharma9432]

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

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

All the best!

[@williammai7571]

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]

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.

[@praiseraiser2913]

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

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hehe

[@ariki5173]

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]

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]

@@AmberMelanieSmith great! Thank you for this information!

[@davidnims7627]

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

[@thegreatraleighcleanup9114]

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

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Might have been inspired by real life. 😅

[@faevoryn6578]

This is good food for thought.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hope you found it helpful!

[@honeyvitagliano3227]

❤

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

😋

[@arinasan247]

Thanks

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hope it was helpful!

[@Lighthouse_Audio]

Thank you. :)

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

You're welcome!

[@patKslm]

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

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

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

[@donnamariahteresagoodwin4281]

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

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

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.

[@debramoseki]

Very informative, Iv recently started an NPO.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ryanh1335]

.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Indeed. 🙃