Governance
Nonprofit governance is challenging work whether for a board as a whole or individual board directors.
Governance is the process of providing strategic leadership to a nonprofit organization. The board is responsible for "all aspects of the organization, including overseeing its operations and holding management accountable for delivering on the mission of the organization."1
While the board oversees all aspects of the nonprofit's management and operations, individual directors also have responsibilities. Directors are obliged to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances (“duty of care”) and act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of the organization (“fiduciary duty”.)2
Videos
Check out these governance-focused videos - each is an excerpt from a webinar or presentation on governance and board health.
Nonprofit Governance: Issues in Nonprofit Boards (4:17) This short video looks at five common issues in nonprofit boards. Understanding the principles of high-functioning board and board governance is integral to the smooth and effective running of any nonprofit organization.
Video: Nonprofit Governance: Board Roles and Responsibilities (4:40) This video outlines board responsibilities including that the board focuses on whole organization, works together as a whole, approves policy and monitors impact, hires and supervises one employee, and avoids operational decisions.
NEW Video: Nonprofit Governance: The Partnership Between the Board and Senior Executive (5:03) This video describes the interconnected roles of the board and the senior executive and speaks to the power of this relationship when it operates effectively.
NEW Video: Nonprofit Governance: What the Board Should Expect from the Senior Executive and the Senior Executive Should Expect from the Board (7:57) This video outlines wha a board should expect from the senior executive and vice versa in order for their working relationship to be positive, productive, and strong.
Video: Nonprofit Governance: Board Director Duties (8:45) Director duties include the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. There are also fiduciary responsibilities - the duty to act in scope of authority in regards to legislation and the organization’s objects, bylaws, policies, and procedures. Find out what these mean in this short video.
Video: Nonprofit Governance: Roles of Board, Senior Executive, and Staff (7:19) The board, senior executive and staff work together for the success of the organization's mission, but each has unique roles and responsibilities.
Get Help with Governance and Board Health
IntegralOrg has a range of custom services that can help your nonprofit develop effective governance processes.
Free Consultation or Legal Clinic
Consultation: If you have a question about governance or board functioning, we are happy to offer our expertise through a free consultation.
Legal Clinic: The legal aspects of running a nonprofit are complex. In a legal clinic, you can chat with a lawyer with decades of experience in the nonprofit sector about your governance issue. For example, you may want a legal perspective on whether your board policies or bylaws are complete.
To arrange a consultation or legal clinic, give us a call at 403-910-7279, connect by email, or use the Contact Us form and we will arrange a phone or virtual meeting with a member of our team.
Organizational Development Services
If you have a need for in-depth solutions, IntegralOrg can work directly with your nonprofit. We work alongside your organization, through customized supports that assist you on your journey as a nonprofit. Please contact us at 403-910-7279 or connect by email. Organizational development is undertaken on a fee-for-service basis.
Board Evaluation Surveys
Board Evaluation Survey: A survey that gathers input about the performance, and function of the board of directors of your organization in order to develop a common understanding of overall governance performance within the organization as well as areas of strength and weakness for the board of directors to consider in their development process.
Board Skills Evaluation: An evaluation that determines the current skills and experience composition of your board and provides a policy for how a Skills and Experience Matrix may be incorporated into ongoing board recruitment processes.
Governance Review
A review of governance in your organization that includes understanding the current legal framework and governance requirements; determining the existing governance policies that are in place; discussing practices for improved governance; and making recommendations on required updates and additions to governance policies.
Board Education Session
A board education session focusing on topics such as board director’s fiduciary and legal responsibilities, roles and responsibilities, and the role of the board in strategy and operations. An educational session builds unity and focus among the board; educates the board and staff on principles of board governance; and helps the team work towards a common understanding of the style of governance that will be used.
Board and CEO Coaching
In-depth coaching with the board and the executive director/CEO to clarify roles and responsibilities and build high-functioning relationships and strong governance practices.
1, 2. From Governance for Not-for-Profit Organizations: Questions to Ask: Second Edition. Don Taylor. Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.
Learn about Governance
INTRO to Governance: Principles of good governance for nonprofits
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Understanding the principles of governance is integral to the smooth and effective running of any nonprofit or charitable organization. This workshop provides an overview of the basics of governance and board functioning including the three interconnected areas of responsibility – fiduciary, strategic, and generative – and the board’s role in focusing on the entire organization and working together as a whole. Watch the video or access the workshop package with recording, slides, and resources.
Tuning up the Board and Senior Executive Partnership
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Tending to the partnership between your nonprofit’s board and its executive director is as important as it is challenging and ever-evolving. This workshop covers understanding the roles between the executive and board: where duties differ and where they may overlap; identifying common challenges in the board and senior executive relationship; and exploring best practices around trust-building, succession planning, accountability, and communication. Watch the video.
Governance Workshops
IntegralOrg offers workshops on nonprofit governance and other topics important to nonprofits including INTEGRALIntro introductory workshops.
Blogs
Annual General Meetings: A primer for Alberta nonprofits. Yvonne Chenier, June 20, 2022
Resources
The Board Development Program: Alberta-based resources for nonprofit governance.
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada: A wide range of high quality and up-to-date resources on nonprofit finance, governance, and human resources.
BoardSource: Provides leaders with an extensive range of tools, resources, and research data to increase board effectiveness and strengthen organizational impact. An American resource.