A strong board will... » Understand and support the mission » Engage in strategic planning » Provide adequate fiscal oversight and risk management » Be actively involved in raising funds » Conduct ongoing board development » Have active committees

Every corporation – for profit and not-for-profit – needs to have a board of directors.  A nonprofit arts organization is no different.  Its board of directors or board of trustees is responsible for the overall management of the organization.  It is legally responsible for the actions of the corporation and must ensure that the organization adheres to the guidelines outlined in its by-laws and articles of incorporation.  Importantly, the board assumes financial responsibility for the organization.

Simply put, the board has the responsibility to support, serve and strengthen the nonprofit arts organization.

For a small or relatively young organization, the board serves as what is considered a “working” or “hands-on” board, doing everything the organization needs from putting up the exhibit to distributing flyers to raising money to pay the artists, in addition to its oversight activities.  This board often consists of the founder(s) and a small group of his/her friends which begins to expand as it engages others with additional expertise and knowledge that help fulfill the organization’s needs.

With the addition of staff, the board frequently evolves into what is often called a “policy” board and begins to concentrate more heavily in governance.  Governance has as its aim the “protection of the public interest” and includes functions such as the hiring and evaluating of the top executive, strategic planning, developing and approving budgets, and ensuring legal and contract compliance.  Governance involves asking the tough questions that will keep the organization true to its mission, effective, successful, and healthy.  In addition, the organization also depends on its board members to provide support through raising money, special skills and expertise, and as advocates and ambassadors for the organization in the community.

Resources

		Good Governance for Challenging Times (.pdf)
		Why Boards Don't Govern (.pdf)

Legal Considerations

		Your Initial Board of Directors (.doc)
		First Meeting of the Board of Directors (.doc)
		Minutes of the First Board Meeting (.doc)