NONPROFIT TIP - By, Laura Cootsona

Commonly a board goes through a rough patch when you elect or simply get stuck with a bad chair. For one to two years everyone endures agenda-less meetings, pet projects, tangents, or simple boredom. You hope against hope that the next appointee is a bit more organized than the last.

Here’s the problem, as is typical with board members in general, most chairs don’t have a clue as to what they should be doing up there in front of the room. Let’s set the record straight. The Chair is best described as a conductor. Baton in hand, score in front of him, orchestra looking at him in the eye. Conducting.

I believe the best role of the chair is to prepare and conduct, but do nothing else. He shouldn’t have a pet project, chair the fundraising committee, or repair the computers. Rather she, should think hard about engaging each board member for service, oversee the executive director, inspire the vision and mission engagement, meet with the executive committee and run a memorable meeting. Done well, this chair will leave her mark

Laura Cootsona is the primary facilitator for NVCF's Nonprofit Leadership Institute. Cootsona began her work in the nonprofit as a small child following her parents’ example. While at UC Berkeley, she worked primarily with the homeless and then found her niche in fundraising consulting while completing her Masters program in Nonprofit Management at the University of San Francisco. During her consulting career she has worked with schools, social service agencies, religious outreach groups, and arts organizations. Laura can be reached at laura@lrcconsulting.com.