Catalyst for Change: The Board Chair's Transformative Influence

This year we've observed several troubling trends in the nonprofit sector. We've witnessed multiple organizations grappling with leadership crises – either through the departure of key executives or mass resignations from dysfunctional boards (or worse, they don’t leave and stick around to cause trouble). These scenarios are not just difficult to watch; they have profound, detrimental impacts. The fallout affects staff morale, organizational stability, and, most critically, the very individuals and communities these nonprofits aim to serve. The road to recovery from such leadership upheavals is often long, costly, and can significantly derail an organization's mission. 

To help nonprofit leaders address these challenges head-on, we recently facilitated a webinar to provide practical strategies to foster stable, effective governance and prevent such devastating outcomes. One of the strategies we included in the webinar was to ensure that the role of the Board Chair is clearly defined and occupied by an individual with appropriate leadership skills. The strong execution of the responsibilities associated with this role is key to a high-functioning board. 

The Board Chair typically:

Facilitates Board Meetings: In most cases the Chair presides over board meetings, ensuring they are efficient, inclusive, focused, and productive. This involves preparing agendas, guiding discussions, and maintaining order. This responsibility can certainly be shared! 

Leads Accountability Efforts: The Board Chair shoulders the critical responsibility of ensuring the organization operates within its established framework. This includes overseeing adherence to bylaws, policies, and legal obligations – a domain where the Secretary can provide invaluable support and leadership, exemplifying the power of collaborative governance. The Chair - in partnership with the Executive Director- plays a critical role in bringing together the board and staff to engage in planning discussions. The strategic planning process requires a board and the staff team to work together cooperatively, and the Chair’s influence on the board is key to achieving this. 

Oversees Board and Executive Staff Development: The Chair oversees or assigns responsibility for conducting performance evaluations of the full board, individual board members, and the executive director, promoting ongoing improvement.

Maintains a Positive Relationship with the Executive Director: The Board Chair acts as the primary liaison between the board and the executive director (ED), ensuring clear and effective communication. Ideally, they provide support and counsel to the ED, helping to address challenges, celebrate successes, and maintain a strong working relationship that aligns with the organization’s mission and goals.

Understands Governance Dynamics: The Board Chair must have a basic understanding of the fundamental concepts of organizational development and the three fiduciary duties required of boards. A commitment to collaboration is at the heart of the organizational structure [i.e., the board works together as one, no one member is more ‘powerful’].

Leading By Example: The Board Chair sets the tone for the board’s culture and work, fostering an environment of collaboration, respect, and accountability. 

There’s more, but we’ll stop there! The responsibilities of the Board Chair are substantial. We've found that the key to making this position more manageable and appealing lies in collaborative leadership. By effectively leveraging the diverse strengths of fellow board leaders, particularly those serving on the executive committee (e.g., the Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer), organizations can forge a more efficient and impactful path forward. This approach not only distributes the workload but also enhances the overall effectiveness of board governance.

If your incoming or current Board Chair is looking for support, we encourage you to sign them up for our Board Leadership Accelerator program starting in February. This cohort of nonprofit board leaders will meet bi-monthly from February through April via Zoom to learn and grow as board leaders. Learn More: Downloadable Flyer

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION HERE