Editor’s Note: This article on the role of the Board in strategic planning is revised and updated from a 2017 article.
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory, tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” —Sun Tsu, Ancient Chinese Military strategist
What’s your organization’s strategy? Do you have a plan for how you will accomplish goals in the near-term (next 12 months) and long-term (next three years)? If not, what’s keeping you from forming this plan and then executing it? Operating an agency without a strategy is like building a house without a blueprint. Organizations often put off creating a strategic plan because of the day to day needs of running the organization. This is just one of the reasons your Board of Directors is an excellent resource for strategic planning.
Strategic Planning and Your Board
When it comes to strategy, a nonprofit’s strongest – and often unused – muscle is its Board of Directors. Think about it: You have access to a group of business savvy community leaders who are volunteering their time to provide oversight for your organization. Put them to work! The Board is one of your strongest strategy assets.
Board Composition
Because your Board is vital in helping to shape the strategic vision of your future, it’s important that you are tough when it comes to vetting members. The composition of your Board is a critical factor for strategy success. Consider the following when recruiting your board:
- Diversity: The group composition should be diverse of gender, race, ethnicity, and age. Such diversity ensures a variety of perspectives and protects the whole from groupthink.
- Industry: Ensure the board represents at least three separate industries, such as finance, healthcare, and education. Nonprofit boards should also include a member from the public sector, specifically someone well-versed in regulatory and compliance standards.
- Professional experience: Nonprofit exposure, prior board commitments, and leadership roles are all factors to consider when selecting individuals for your board.
- Skills: The board should comprise a variety of competencies such as emotional intelligence, analytical thinking, technology savvy, business intelligence, and communication skills.
Board Expectations
The activities of a Board fall into four major categories, the first of which is “strategic direction.” When interviewing potential Board members, be clear about your strategic planning process, and your intentions for them to actively contribute. Set expectations up front via your Board by-laws, or rulebook. These procedures serve as the manual that will help to guide your Board through the orderly operation of your organization. Finally, establish a standing committee dedicated to strategy execution, and ensure those members with a combination of strategic planning skills, experience, and interest are sitting on this committee.
Nonprofit Governance – A Guide for Building a Strong Board
In this interactive workbook, Brighter Strategies teaches the basics of board governance, including board structure, members’ roles and expectations, and the responsibilities required for effective oversight.
Use this guide to first evaluate the current state of the board in your organization. Next, learn how to apply your organization’s unique culture and specialized resources to board governance. You will walk through the journey of building a strong board, from recruiting your board members and forming committees to conducting orientation and delegating tasks. This book is full of practical exercises and informative resources to help make effective governance a reality in your organization.
