I’ll be on Nonprofit Radio speaking with host Tony Martignetti this Friday at 10:30 am PT / 1:30 pm ET discussing agenda items nonprofit boards should get on the board calendar at the start of the year. You can tune in to the live feed on Talking Alternative or catch up later on iTunes. We’ll be […]
governance
7 Reasons to Review Your Bylaws Now
The bylaws of a nonprofit corporation are the board’s internal rules and instruction manual for how the nonprofit is governed. It may be the nonprofit’s single most important document. Here are 7 reasons why you should review your bylaws for legal and internal compliance: 1. To ensure legal compliance with applicable state and federal laws. […]
2 Questions Nonprofit Board Members Should Consider on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Beyond
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, consider the following two questions: Is social justice a core value of your organization and something you strive for in pursuit of advancing its mission? Is your organization investing its resources consistent with its values in a meaningful way? How to Be a Racial Justice Hero Colorlines published a great article […]
Best of the Nonprofit Law Blog 2014
Here are some selected highlights from NEO Law Group over the past year that we hope you’ll find helpful. 2014 was also highlighted by an addition to Erin’s family and Michele’s graduation and passage of the bar exam! Amazing year for all of us. Blog Posts Governance What Issues Should a Nonprofit Board Consider Annually? Executive Succession: […]
Nonprofit Radio: Managing Dissent on Your Boards
The University of Virginia’s governing body found itself under some heat earlier this year when its proposal to silence board members from publicly voicing their dissent from board actions was made public. Ultimately, the proposed policy was abandoned and with good reason. But the broader issue of how to manage dissent on a board is worthy […]
Executive Committees: Why You Should Limit Their Authority
It is very common for an executive committee to be authorized to take action on behalf of the board on all matters in between regular board meeting. Delegating the full power of the board to an executive committee may be very useful, particularly when the board is composed of a large number of directors who […]
Nonprofit Tweets of the Week – January 17, 2014
This week, we attended an informative Alliance for Justice briefing on the IRS proposed rules for 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations. Have a listen to Lea Michele's Get It Right while perusing this week's tweets on nonprofits, philanthropy, governance and social enterprises: AFJ Bolder Advocacy: For info on present 501(c)(4) rules and proposed rules, see […]
Nonprofit Tweets of the Week – September 20, 2013
The official end of summer and a busy fall conference season ahead for many. Today, Erin and I are attending the American Bar Association Exempt Organizations Committee Meeting with many of our colleagues from throughout the country. Have a listen to Jon McLaughlin's Summer Is Over while you peruse this week's tweets on nonprofits, […]
Screwtape’s 10 Pieces of Advice to New Board Members
Be fashionably late to meetings. Don’t show up too often so the board recognizes it’s special when you do. Start preparing for a meeting just before you go in so the materials are all fresh on your mind. Dominate the discussion; to sound smart, use buzz phrases like “we’ve got to collaborate,” “what’s our value […]
Board Roles and Duties
One of my favorite things about our work is the opportunity to speak to boards about their roles and duties. A nonprofit’s board members are one of its most underutilized and important assets. We believe most board members genuinely want to contribute in a manner that will best help their organizations but they are challenged […]