When you take on the management of a non-profit organization, many questions come to mind about how to contribute to the advancement of the organization you oversee. Therefore, every board member should ask these questions to the executive director or the board and let the answers guide them towards success.

Question One: What should I do?

Despite the obviousness of this question, it is often essential to clarify many matters. Is all that is required of you simply to attend the organization's meetings to share your wisdom? While this is not an issue in itself, most non-profit boards expect more from their members.

You may find a written answer to this question among the organization's documents, but asking it verbally to the board will have great benefits. In this case, you should take notes if the answers you receive are vague and lack clarity and precision, or if they indicate low expectations of the capabilities of the organization's members. You should also be cautious of low expectations as they indicate that the organization does not understand competitive volunteer work or how to effectively utilize volunteers.

Question Two: How can I help secure funding?

One of the main responsibilities of board members is to help develop the organization's resources. While some board members are aware of this goal and are doing it well, others may lack the idea of securing new resources and may even find this task bothersome. Volunteers often think that securing funding usually involves going to a particular entity and asking them for financial assistance, but this will not be a comfortable conversation. In this context, we present some methods that can help you secure funding:

– Identifying prospects:

You can identify individuals, institutions, and companies that are passionate about supporting the goal that the organization is working to achieve. It is important to start with those who are eager to support your objectives.

– Working with a clear plan:

Once you identify who will support your organization, you need to determine the best way to approach them. Securing funding typically requires going through several steps and meetings.

– Giving advice to visitors:

Individuals usually appreciate being asked about their thoughts, so you can support your organization's funding efforts by holding informal meetings with volunteers and potential donors, seeking advice on the prospects you have established. This may contribute to direct funding or discovering new prospects.

– Expressing gratitude:

It is essential to write a thank-you note or make a personal call to donors to thank them for their financial contributions. This gives them a good impression of the organization's gratitude.

Question Three: I'm not an accountant; how do I know if the financial situation is good?

As a board member, it is natural for you to be assigned many tasks and responsibilities within the organization. You and your board members are the primary responsible parties for its resources, and you need to provide a broader picture of how they are used to achieve the organization's goals. Managing the finances of a non-profit organization can be challenging, especially for someone without a significant financial or administrative background. Here are some ways to make you feel more comfortable with this issue:

– Ensure that the board secretary or finance committee chair has financial expertise and is familiar with how to keep the non-profit’s records and audit the monthly financial statements.

– Ensure that the board reviews all financial oversight reports directly.

– Ensure that the board reviews the "Tax-Exempt Organization Return" document every year before it is submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

Question Four: How can I be an ambassador for the organization if I don’t speak to crowds?

The issues supported by the organization or its programs may be among the main motivations that led you to become a member, to share your passion, and to represent an opportunity to engage with your community. These interactions do not require you to have public speaking skills to address crowds. Therefore, try to benefit from the assistance of your team to practice delivering appropriate and expressive speeches.

Question Five: Is there an expectation for me to make a financial contribution to the organization?

It is essential to clarify this issue before joining the board. However, it is surprising that this point is among the matters that are not often discussed. In fact, many non-profit organizations do not require a personal financial contribution from board members, and sometimes it may involve a small amount. If donors will contribute to funding the organization, it is essential that this initiative starts from the staff and is emphasized first.

Location: GuideStar

Author: Bill Hoffman