by Tom Okarma | Jun 17, 2014 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
Do many of these sound familiar? If so, it’s time to do something. Let me know what else you might add to this list. No strategic plan in place Poor alignment between goals and:resources, staffing, structure, budget, decision-making Infrequently monitoring financial...
by Tom Okarma | May 12, 2014 | Blog, Board Development, Leadership
…but you don’t have to. We all learn a lot of lessons along the way. I seem to learn best by doing rather than taking someone’s advice. The result is I learn by getting my nose bloodied from time to time. So in the spirit of wanting to share so...
by Tom Okarma | May 7, 2014 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
Absolutely, a board of directors is necessary. But, it shouldn’t just be comprised of a collection of well-intended directors. Legally, you’re probably required to have one anyway, but in addition, the value derived from the “right” board is...
by Tom Okarma | May 1, 2014 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
I suspect many executive directors have asked themselves this question at one time or another, and probably with good reason. Unless you have a well-thought out New Director Orientation Program you may be suffering through a board that has no clear purpose. It will...
by Tom Okarma | Mar 18, 2014 | Blog, Board Development, Leadership
If you’ve struggled to increase board meeting attendance, raise the energy level in your meetings, develop a clearer focus on your mission, or instill a fiery passion back into your boardroom, I have an answer. It is quite simple, costs nothing, and you can do it at...
by Tom Okarma | Feb 21, 2014 | Blog, Leadership
Military experts say once a battle begins the battle plan goes out the window. I am seeing evidence this also happening on nonprofit boards. In a couple of cases I’ve seen terrible damage done to otherwise well-running nonprofits. Yet, due to strife, however caused,...
