Succession Planning: The Elephant in the Room
One of the most uneasy discussions we have watched both boards and executive directors avoid is the issue of succession planning. Boards avoid the discussion because they don't want EDs to be offended by the conversation - offended to think the board is raising the issue because they are considering getting rid of the ED, when all they are trying to do is protect the organization from the inevitable, whenever the inevitable occurs.
 
Networked Nonprofits have Social Cultures
Beth Kanter discusses the characteristics of a networked nonprofit, and discusses the actions needed to help cultivate a social culture in your organization.
 
Searching for a Key Employee: The 7 No-No's of Hiring
The search for a key employee is the single most critical decision your organization can make. And if you are like most NonProfit organizations, your board and/or Executive Director will probably decide to take on this task themselves.

Most people figure that because they've been in business (or been an executive in a NonProfit) that they know how to hire. But if you ask, they'll tell you war stories - bad hires, bad interviews, horrible candidates.

With the success of your organization hinging on this decision, there are steps you can take (and, more importantly, steps to avoid) to increase the chances of getting the very best candidate for the job.
 
Energize...Especially for Leaders of Volunteers
This Web site includes a library organized by subject, and each subject page provides Online Bookstore links, free articles or excerpts, free electronic books or guides, an annotated list of Web sites with more material on the subject and links to relevant Hot Topics on volunteerism and nonprofit issues.
 
Catalytic Philanthropy - A New Approach in Uncertain Times
A new breed of philanthropic leader is emerging among high-net worth donors, foundations, and corporations: the “catalytic philanthropist.”  These innovative funders don't just give away money -- they solve social problems, and they deliver the kind of impact that most nonprofit donors can only imagine.
 

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Governance for Nonprofits: From Little Leagues to Big Universities
Service on a nonprofit board is not merely an honor granted in recognition of your civic achievements. It entails legal obligations and an important responsibility for stewardship of the goals and principles of the nonprofit organization. You and your fellow directors have the primary legal and moral responsibility for the governance of your nonprofit and for seeing that the mission of your nonprofit organization is carried out.
 
Olszak Digital Library
The Olszak Digital Library is a collection is of a wide variety of research papers, articles, books, websites, forums, programs and materials related to social enterprise. This directory was developed by Olszak Management Consulting, Inc. in partnership with the Social Enterprise Alliance, an organization committed to building sustainable nonprofits through earned income. Olszak Management Consulting, Inc., developed this directory as a resource for anyone interested in the field of social entrepreneurship, including businesses, nonprofit organizations, consultants, researchers, academicians, students, funders and investors.
 
Board Functions and Duties
This sample chart plots out duties assigned to individual board members.
 
Board Cafe Archives
This page houses a decade's worth of articles on nonprofit board development and governance.
 
Governance Matters Resources
This site features tools, roundtable notes, tips, outlines, and more to help your organization through the board recruitment, nomination and orientation processes. 
 

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