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Great Boards for Small Groups:
A 1-Hour Guide to Governing a Growing Nonprofit
Andy Robinson
Medfield, MA: Emerson & Church, Pub., 2006
120pp., $24.95, paperback
(bulk discounts available)
ISBN: 1-889102-04-0

You want to know a secret? Most nonprofits tend to have a love/hate relationship with their Boards. Okay, so it’s not that big of a secret, but Andy Robinson has a new book that can make this relationship a little easier. Great Boards for Small Groups: A 1-Hour Guide to Governing a Growing Nonprofit looks at the ins and outs of nonprofit governance, giving nonprofit leaders an easy to read guidebook to design their “perfect” board. Robinson’s straightforward style puts readers at ease, while he uses clear, common-sense approaches to board development.

What are some of the basic traits/needs that organizations should get out of their “perfect” board? Minimally, your want a board that knows that one of its primary goals is compliance with the law. Incorporated nonprofits are required to have a board that oversees programs and finances to show that the organization benefits the community at large. Robinson has a list of eight ideal traits to have on your “best” board. Some of the traits include: having representatives of the constituency you serve, a board that has the ability to do long-range planning, and a board with the ability to assist in fundraising (planning and implementation). Ultimately, Robinson’s list is designed to help your board evolve with your organization (and push for change when necessary).

One thing Robinson recommends is have a board “job description.” This is a piece of paper that you can present to prospective board members for their perusal. Being a board member is a job, one that has specific requirements and responsibilities. Also known as “board agreements” or “board contracts,” these documents can actually help when recruiting new board members – they know what their duties are, and know in an instant if they can meet these requirements. It also shows prospective members that your nonprofit is organized and, essentially, knows what it is doing.

In the “Designing your best board” chapter, Robinson wants organizations and their boards to ask themselves this important question: “If we could design the perfect board for our group, what skills and qualities do we look for in prospective board members?” Do you need board members with accounting skills? Legal? Other professional skills? Are they team players? Do you want members who are geographically diverse? Culturally/ethnically diverse? Above all, are they passionate about your work? The answers to these questions and others can be used to recruit new board members and act as an evaluation tool for current members.

Chapters range from “Your Best Board” to “Building Consensus.” Robinson also has some chapters on “How to fix it:…” designed to help guide boards through some typical board scenarios. But don’t think this is just a book about atypical board duties and responsibilities. The last chapter is entitled: “If it’s not fun, it’s not worth it.” In other words, have fun together. Sometimes it is too easy to get bogged down in the details, but taking the time to have fun together helps create teamwork that makes the work of your board and nonprofit run smoothly.

– ANNETTE AGUAYO

ORDER FROM:
The Compleat Professional's Library
PO Box 338
Medfield, MA 02052
(508) 359-0019
www.emersonandchurch.com