By Valyrie Laedlein, CRE Co-Director - Nonprofit leaders are hard-wired for accountability.
The tax-exempt sector was structured to assure accountability to the public since its very beginning. Nearly all the leaders whom CRE has had the privilege to work with drive themselves to be sure they are doing right by their communities. And in this moment of terribly constrained resources, all of us are conscious of how important it is that we make every dollar matter in terms of its rightful and effective use. Read more >>
News & Views
A blog for those interested in what affects, motivates and drives the New York City Nonprofit Sector — written by CRE’s crackerjack consulting team. We hope you use this space to share your thoughts, ask questions and engage in conversations about our city, social justice and the nonprofit sector.
Accountability Versus Effectiveness
My Board Member Wants to Work for me. What Should I Do?
By Jeff Ballow, Senior Consultant - You have just posted a new position on a variety of job sites, circulated the position description to colleagues near and far, and among the initial wave of inquiries is an e-mail from a current member of your board of directors expressing interest in the position. You stare at your computer monitor and wonder, “How should I handle this situation?” Read more >>
How to Leverage Nonprofit Board Matching Services
by Randall Quan - Board development is a regular topic among CRE clients. Nonprofits are always looking for that perfect mix of folks who care deeply about their missions, take their oversight responsibilities seriously, attend meetings, and add value to their organizations’ overall effort. Oh, and groups would love for their Board members to fundraise—both to write large checks themselves and to get their friends and colleagues to write large checks. Read more >>
Should Boards Fundraise?
In a word, yes! Agreeing on the best role for the Board of Directors to play in fundraising is the source of perennial tension in many nonprofit organizations. Few people join Boards looking for opportunities to fundraise, but Board members should recognize that they have a special responsibility for the financial health and accountability of an organization. As a body, your Board must ensure that your organization has a fundraising strategy that is in line with your group’s projected spending. In addition, each Board member can and should be an advocate for your group within the greater community, and should make a financial contribution to the organization in an amount that’s significant to him or her. Read more >>
When and How to Create Nonprofit Board Committees
A committee is simply a group that can carry out tasks on behalf of the full Board. A committee is often a subgroup of the Board itself, but it can also include non-Board members such as outside experts or even volunteers. Read more >>
Preparing for Succession
by Valyrie Laedlein-A search on the internet on the topic of succession planning yields considerable guidance and commentary for and from the corporate sector. Just this week, Forbes.com ran a story on the Chief Information Officer for Equinix, who has been with the company since 2008 and is already preparing his successor, even though the CIO has no intention of leaving anytime soon. Raising questions related to who will follow the CEO, the COO, the CIO or any other company’s leader is not considered impolitic in that sector. Indeed, it is expected and seen as exercising good business judgment. Grooming rising talent for executive positions is not disrespectful of those currently holding those positions. Failing to do so is considered irresponsible and short-sighted. Read more >>
Making Change
by Valyrie Laedlein - I spend a fair amount of my time working with nonprofit Executive Directors (ED) and Boards on workplans intended to make change happen within the Board of Directors. Much has been written on leading a change effort and managing change, but something I came across today made great sense in the context of some recent client challenges. Read more >>
The ED’s Lament: How Do I Get My Board to Perform?
by Mohan Sikka - Executive Directors frequently tell me that they are dissatisfied with the performance of their boards. Read more >>
Fran Barrett: We are Not Crooks!
In her latest blog for the Huffington Post, CRE's Executive Director Fran Barrett details the many safeguards and regulations that ensure accountability in the nonprofit sector. While Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. is being investigated for laundering money from a Bronx healthcare clinic, Fran reminds readers that the vast majority of nonprofit leaders are hard-working and highly accountable. Read more >>
Becoming a Strong Board Chair
by Valyrie Laedlein
Have I got a job for you?
Role:To lead a group of under-available, over-committed volunteers responsible Read more >>
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