Governance Is Your Road to Success

Talking Points

Erin McClarty

What is this about?A week ago I got to chat with the Philantrepreneur Foundation on nonprofit governance. Finally, listeners got a clear explanation of what it means, why it matters and ways to grow.

For those not familiar with the program, you’re in luck! Here are a few talking points. For examples and more on the conversation check out the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Xd0kPGzw8

How do organizations miss out ignoring governance? Why does it matter?

What organizations miss out on can be summed up in one word, opportunities.

Organization’s spend so much time brainstorming new ways to fundraise or market. But if a donor were to give, contingent

on seeing audited financials, most organizations can’t find em’. And if we pull their 990’s they’re not capitalizing on the chance to market. Missed opportunities.

By ignoring governance you miss the forest for the trees.

What exactly is governance?

Helpful to look at the root “govern.” To govern is to lead or guide. So big

picture, we’re looking at ways to lead and guide.

Governance is how you go about leading and guiding. The who, what, when, and why of authority, oversight, decision-making and operations. We see this day-to-day as policies or

procedures. Every organization does governance everyday. So it’s not whether you’re doing it, but how well.

What should overwhelmed and understaffed groups focus on?

Go after the low-hanging fruit Take the 5 minute challenge Governance audits Get clear on your “governance” culture

How do I get governance on the radar at my organization?

Appeal to the audience Get good at communicating

relevancy to the people you’re trying to target.

Embed it into the culture Give people ownership

Make this a way for board members to get more engaged.

Wonderful thing about governance is it can engage so many different personalities.

“If you make governance anything other than a part of the organization’s sub-conscious it won’t happen….”

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Other topics coveredTo hear what we said on these questions, and more on the tips I gave, check out the recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Xd0kPGzw8

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Growing governance can seem deceptively simple. Why should organization’s look at hiring someone?

What are ways organizations go down the wrong path?

What are the best pieces of advice for organization’s on governance?