The Role of Effective Board Committees in Nonprofit Governance

This training will include a live video-conference from New York and in-person local session with Nonprofit Attorney Judy Andrews.  This training is free of charge.

Nonprofit boards of directors have important responsibilities. They are expected to govern with due care, in good faith, and with leadership to ensure that the organization carries out it charitable mission. A Board must also prepare the organization for the future, and ensure its financial sustainability.

In order to make the most productive and efficient use of individual directors’ time and expertise and to help advance the organization’s goals, Boards may seek to address specific issues at a committee level. Effective committee structures appropriately divide work among the full board, committees and staff. They also have clear and legally appropriate procedures which guide the committees in providing information and making recommendations to the Board, or making decisions on the Board’s behalf.

This seminar will provide information about the different types of board committees, and the pros and cons of delegating responsibilities to those committees. It will review the difference between advisory committees and committees with authority to act on behalf of the board. It will then review relevant federal and state law issues as well as best practices related to the creation and operation of board committees, including the role of board committees in reviewing executive compensation. Particular attention will be given to the charge of the executive committee. In addition, the board chair and executive director of a nonprofit with an active board committee structure will discuss practical consid- erations that help ensure your committees are operating effectively.

This seminar is designed for executive directors, board and committee members, and other people responsible for nonprofit governance. It is also appropriate for anyone who wishes to strengthen their skills in this critical area.