Legal & Docs

1. Constructive Partnership Exceptional boards govern in constructive partnership with the chief executive, recognizing that the effectiveness of the board and chief executive is interdependent. They build this partnership through trust, candor, respect, and honest communication.

2. Mission Driven Exceptional boards shape and uphold the mission, articulate a compelling vision, and ensure the congruence between decisions and organizational values. They treat questions of mission, vision, and core values not as exercises to be done once, but as statements of crucial importance to be drilled down and folded into deliberations.

3. Strategic Thinking Exceptional boards allocate time to what matters most and ensure the congruence between decisions and core values.

4. Culture of Inquiry Exceptional boards institutionalize a culture of inquiry, constructive debate, and engaged teamwork that leads to sound and shared decision making.

5. Independent-Mindedness Exceptional boards are independent-minded. When making decisions on behalf of the organization, board members put the interests of the organization above those of the chief executive, themselves, or other interested parties.

6. Ethos of Transparency Exceptional boards promote an ethos of transparency and ethical behavior by ensuring that donors, stakeholders, and interested members of the public have access to appropriate and accurate information regarding finances and operations.

7. Compliance with Integrity Exceptional boards govern with full recognition of the importance of their fiduciary responsibilities, developing a culture of compliance through appropriate mechanisms for active oversight.

8. Sustaining Resources Exceptional boards ensure that the organization’s resources are balanced with its strategic priorities and capacities. Individual board members extend the reach of the organization by actively using their own reputations and networks to secure funds, expertise, and access.

9. Results Oriented Exceptional boards track the organization’s advancement towards mission and evaluate the performance of major programs and services.

10. Intentional Board Practices Exceptional boards make form follow function when it comes to their own operations. To provide stable leadership to the organization, they invest in structures and practices that transcend individuals and thoughtfully adjust them to suit changing circumstances.

11. Continuous Learning Exceptional boards embrace the qualities of a continuous learning organization, evaluating their own performance and assessing the value that they add to the organization.

12. Revitalization Exceptional boards revitalize themselves through planned turnover, thoughtful recruitment, and intentional cultivation of future officers.

Core Operating Standards

Documentation of nonprofit status: 501(C) (3) Letter of Determination
Organizational Ethics: All staff, board members and volunteers of the organization will act with honesty, integrity and openness in all their dealings as representatives of the organization. The organization promotes a working environment that values respect, fairness and integrity.
Board of Directors: 1. The organization must function autonomously under a local voluntary governing board of directors of at least three voting members who are responsible for its administration and policies. 2. The board ensures the organization complies with appropriate accounting practices, as well as local, state and federal laws. 3. The board composition is diverse and does not include employees of the organization or relatives of employees. 4. The board has determined the vision and mission of the agency in pursuit of the public good. 5. The Board meets, at a minimum, four (4) times a year and keeps minutes with recorded actions that are approved by the Board of Directors. 6. The Board approves an annual operating budget and receives, at minimum, quarterly financial statements. 7. Board members are willing to invest time, talents and financial resources in the advancement of the agency’s mission.
Executive Director: 1. Has a clear understanding of the mission with both the passion and ability to carry out goals. 2. Can articulate to others realistic goals and plans for the organization. 3. The board reviews its executive’s performance annually based on a written job description. Salary and benefits are set and approved by the Board
Operational Management: 1. Operates from an annual budget that is realistic, with detailed expenses and sources of revenue. 2. Utilizes a system for financial reporting and review. 3. Applies adequate and appropriate accounting functions. 4. Implements service delivery plans. 5. Has adequate human resources to deliver programs, activities and services. 6. Utilizes a standardized system to report service numbers.
Fund Development: 1. Understands sources of revenue for nonprofit agencies. 2. Has a preliminary plan to raise funds for the organization from a variety of sources. 3. Has a board that is willing and able to raise funds. 4. Has a preliminary plan to sustain the organization and build its future.