1. Opportunity to Lead Joining a Nonprofit Board of Directors presented by

2. Presenters Suzanne Swift Steve Cable
Nonprofit Board Training Committee
Steve Cable
Board Member – Care WI
Kathy Martinson
United Way of Dane County
Opportunity to Lead

3. Reasons to Join a Board Make difference
Learn new things and develop new skills
Develop a stronger network
Big need
5000 board members needed just for UW & City/County
Nonprofits are important to our region
~5000 just in Dane County, 5.5% of Wisconsin’s GDP
Opportunity to Lead

4. Assumptions

5. Role of the Board Vision Planning & Oversight
Strengthen programs and services
Hire & evaluate executive director
Ensure adequate financial resources
Enhance the organization’s public standing
Lead with legal and ethical integrity
Governance

6. Board Duties
Duty of Care
Duty of Loyalty
Duty of Obedience

7. Duty of Care Be present and prepared Participate Vote independently
Use diligence, care and skill
Exercise the same level of care as an “ordinary prudent” person in a like position in similar situation

8. Duty of Loyalty Board members must…
Give undivided allegiance when making decisions which affect the organization
Be aware of conflicts of interest
Act in the interest of the organization, not personal or professional gain

9. Duty of Obedience Ensure the organization remains true to its purpose
Mission Statement, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation,
Complies with laws, bylaws, and policies
Ensures a prudent use of resources
Facilitate thoughtful change

10. Things to Consider Maturity/Type of Board
Organizing, governing, institutional
Size
Drives the structure and type of work
Committee Structure
Task force/ Ad hoc committees
Standing Committees (Finance, HR, Governance)
Engages Community Members

11. Committees Great starting point Hands-on experience Mentorship
Try it before you buy it
Common Committees
Personnel, Finance, Fund Development

12. Before Saying “Yes”… Ask yourself… Job description
Do I have time?
Any conflict of interests?
Am I committed to the cause, to the vision?
Job description
Term length
Board vs. Staff duties
Fundraising and/or personal donation requirement
Do your research
Talk to current and former board members
Annual Reports
990 tax forms
Protection for Liability/Risk
Directors and Officers Insurance

13. What Nonprofits are Looking For
Committed people who prepare and show up
Knowledge
Professional skills
Experiences
Diversity
Contacts & Networks
People who follow through

14. What’s In It For You? Support a cause you care about
Develop professional and personal connections
Learn about inner-workings of a nonprofit
Professional Development
Build your skill set
Leadership opportunities you may not otherwise have in your career

15. Words from a Board Member
Steve Cable Board Member - Care WI

16. Next Steps Do your homework Build on current contacts and interests
website, attend an event, talk to people
Build on current contacts and interests
Be sure you have the time (mtgs, prep, etc)
What do you have to bring to the table?
Committees
VolunteerYourTime.org

17. A resource to explore potential board/committee opportunities
VolunteerYourTime.org
A resource to explore potential board/committee opportunities

18. Getting Connected CLICK HERE
United Way person picks up here. Check with Kathy about who will cover this?
CLICK HERE

19. Search By:
Interest using the dropdown menu
CLICK HERE

20. CLICK HERE

21. Listing of opportunities

22. CLICK HERE

23. Other Resources www.Boardsource.org www.unitedwaydanecounty.org
Kathy Martinson
United Way of Dane County - Senior Director,
Community Engagement -

24. Questions?