Imagine a handbook that covers every possible board situation that could come up at any profit or nonprofit organization. The book would be volumes upon volumes. It’s for this reason that Robert’s Rules allows some room for organizations to be flexible, under certain circumstances, and with specific rules. Main motions are the primary mechanism that…
If you asked anyone how board members make and pass motions at a board meeting, most people could give the basic protocol for a main motion. A board member makes a motion; another member seconds it; the board chair calls for the yeas and nays; and the motion passes or fails. It sounds pretty simplistic,…
Is it better to have several vacant board seats than to have those same seats filled by ineffective board members? Is it better to risk giving a “yea” vote to a board candidate that could generate divisiveness among the board than to leave the seat vacant? There are no easy answers to either question. Yet,…
As board members arrive at the board meeting, they may not be aware of how many hours the board secretary has already put in to prepare for the board meeting. The board secretary has five main duties to prepare for a board meeting:
Most boards have staggered terms to prevent the entire board from turning over at the same time. Having staggered terms also prevents groups of board members from becoming too powerful and keeps decision-making democratic. Recruiting board members should be a continual process so that there is always a quality pool of board applicants. Board members…
Operating a business in today’s society is increasingly complex and full of risks. The complexity of the business world, combined with the current unstable economic climate, places elevated demands on boards of directors in the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. These are just a couple of reasons that boards need to select a board governance model…
In decades past, boards could rely solely on management to oversee and manage risk. The 2008 financial crisis, also known as the global financial crisis, was considered to be the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Harsh economic times hit boards of directors squarely, as they came face to face with complex legal issues…
The executive director’s primary responsibilities are to direct the organization’s financial health and to drive overall progress and success. The role of the executive director is integral towards fulfilling the mission of the organization. The board of directors sets the standards that outline the responsibilities and expectations of the executive director and the board measures…
Robert’s Rules, also known as parliamentary procedure, outlines the various ways that nominees may be presented to the board. Board members are typically nominated by a nominating committee, but they can also be nominated by ballot, or from the floor. Nominations may also be taken by mail or by petition, though these methods are less…
The definition of protocol is “an official procedure or system of rules that govern affairs of states or diplomatic occasions.” To more narrowly define board meeting protocol, look to the powers of the board of directors. A board meeting should not be considered the board’s agenda or the board’s meeting. Board members are the work…
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