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The Nonprofit Sector: What is it by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

The nonprofit sector grew out of the pioneer settling of North America. Folks founded settlements—and if there was going to be an elementary school, for example, it only happened if a few parents volunteered. One thing led to another and today there are over 850,000 public charities that serve an incredible range of cultural and social service activities.

The Nonprofit Sector: Size and Scope by boardnetUSA

5/29/2004

A brief overview of the quantative dimensions of the nonprofit sector.

The Nonprofit Sector: Nonprofits vs. For-profits by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

A comparison of the goal of nonprofit and for-profit organizations and how that can impact board role responsibilities.

The Nonprofit Sector: Legal Duties by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Some legal duties on nonprofit board members based on the writings of nonprofit attorney Daniel L. Kurtz, Esq. - Partner, Holland & Knight, LLP

Roles and Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards by boardnetUSA

11/1/2000

A six point list of the primary responsibilities of nonprofit boards. Includes a real world example of an organization's statement of roles and responsibilities used by organizations in orienting new board members.

Before Joining a Board: What I care about by boardnetUSA

12/7/2000

Before joining a board to it is important to determine how you feel board service could enrich your life and what you can reasonably offer an board. Candidates are encouraged to spend some time assessing their own wants and desires regarding board volunteerism.

Breaking through the Private Club Syndrome by Joy Taylor - American Express

4/5/2001

An board member talks about her personal experience of feeling as an outsider when she joined a close knit board.

Totally from Another World by boardnetUSA

4/8/2001

Sometimes you may be from a different experience than your fellow board members. But its all relative.

Making a Difference on a Small Board by Beth Murray

4/6/2001

An excerpt of a boardnetUSA interview with Beth Murray an American Express Executive about working with small boards.

Before Joining a Board: Finding Time to Serve by Beth Murray - American Express

4/15/2001

An excerpt for a boardnetUSA interview with Beth Murray of American Express about making the time commitment to work with nonprofit boards.

Before Joining a Board: Money and Resources by boardnetUSA

3/11/2001

Nonprofit board service often involves monetary support of the organization. This item features a variety of different ways in which a board member can generate financial support for a nonprofit.

Money (Giving and Getting for the Nonprofit you Serve) by Tania Cochran-Secor - Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments

1/8/2001

An excerpt from a boardnetUSA interview with Tania Cochran-Secor, a young new board member, discussing her personal story of generating financial support for her nonprofit.

The Generosity of People by Benjamin Franklin

11/16/2001

An excerpt from Benjamin Franklin's autobiography giving an example on how a community can come together and contribute towards a common goal.

Do I Have the Right Stuff? by boardnetUSA

11/7/2000

Many people don't think they are board member material. Learn about what skills and experiences nonprofits are looking to recruit into their boards. You may find out you are a person in demand.

What Private Sector Employees can Gain from Serving on a Nonprofit Board by boardnetUSA

11/6/2000

Learn about the rewards of volunteering on a nonprofit board including some that can enhance your performance in business.

Giving Back Through Board Service by Gil Ahye

3/24/2001

An excerpt from a boardnetUSA interview with Gil Ahye of American Express about his board membership being a vehicle to give back to his community.

Development of Professional Competancies Through Board Service by American Express and Volunteer Consulting Group

11/12/2000

Learn about key competancies developed through board service by reviewing this joint research project.

Helping a Cause Important to You by Mel Meskin

3/8/2001

An excerpt from a boardnetUSA interview with Mel Meskin of Verizon about the importance of connecting with the mission of a nonprofit.

Making a Difference on a Small Board by Beth Murray - American Express

3/1/2001

A board member speaks about implementing change within the board and organization.

Responsibilities of the Film/Video Arts Board of Directors by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Sample of board responsibilities for a nonprofit organization.

Democracy in Its Purest Form by boardnetUSA

3/1/2003

Citing of value of nonprofit sector in supporting a democratic system.

The Dynamic Nonprofit: Lessons from High-Performing Nonprofits by McKinsey & Company

4/26/2004

While most people can agree that boards serve important roles in a nonprofit organization, there is a greater disparity of opinion about what those roles should be. Learn about board roles are defined in High Performing Nonprofits.

Nonprofit Sector: What Boards Do by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

A brief summary of the roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board

First Think About ... : What I Care About by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Some guidance on how determine what type of nonprofit organization and board would be right for you.

First Think About...: What I Offer by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

What things you can offer to a board as a new member

First Think About...: What I Gain by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

How you can benefit from serving on a nonprofit board

First Think About ...: Board Career Strategy by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Today’s executive is playing his or her career out on a different stage. Networking is a given from the first day on the job. Just as you invest in building your professional career, you should invest in your board/leadership career.

First Think About ...: Interpersonal Tips by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Interpersonal Tips from Successful Board Members

Perceived Barriers: I Don't Fit the Image of a Board Member by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Many envision a board member as someone different than themselves. This is not the case. A variety of people serve on boards -- review a concept research report conducted by boardnetUSA about how people perceive nonprofit boards and board members.

Perceived Barriers...: I Never Thought About It by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Sample comments of how potential board members have never considered board service.

How to Prepare: Community Board Connector Programs by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Learn about boardnetUSA Community Partners that provide a broad selection of services for assist individuals seeking to serve on a nonprofit board.

How To Prepare: Leadership Programs by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Gain access to a broad network of leadership programs across the country

How To Prepare: Volunteering by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

A good way to prepare to serve on a nonprofit board is to volunteer with an organization. This item lists a view to ways to can find a place to volunteer.

Courting a Board: It's Okay to Propose by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Learn about how boardnetUSA is a proactive tool for candidates as well as boards.

Courting a Board: What Should I Know by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Learn about what things you should ask a board during the interview process in order to determine if the organization is a good fit for you.

Courting a Board: Being an Ambassador by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Even though it’s you who will serve as a board member, the outside world sees you AND the company you come from. In this role of corporate ambassador, and this item contains some things you should consider in this special role.

Courting a Board: The Commitment Process by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

The process of joined a board, the appointment/election process, can be a long and convoluted process. Here are a few guidelines to help in managing the process.

Julien Studley - by Brooke W. Mahoney - Volunteer Consulting Group

3/23/2004

One Trustee Tells His "Secrets of Success" About Nonprofit Trusteeship- Entreprenership, humor, curiosity and "soul" are the secrets of success of a remarkable nonprofit board member--Julien Studley.

African-American On An All White Board by Brooke W. Mahoney -- Volunteer Consulting Group

3/23/2004

Being a new board member on a nonprofit board can be a challenge--but what is it like if you're the first of your sex, religion or race? Two prominent African American civic leaders and trustees who have experienced this--share their impressions, frustrations and victories

Executive Director Dismissed After Video Shows Abuse of Youths by Brooke W. Mahoney - Volunteer Consulting Group

3/23/2004

How does a nonprofit board cope with the trauma of being sent a videotape in which--as reported in the New York Times--the Executive Director "recorded himself whipping and torturing three black teenage boys" in his program? In a conversation with VCG's Executive Director, Brooke Mahoney, two trustees give an intimate look at the board's extraordinary response.

Board Members Who Act Up: A Profile of Abusive Trustee Behavior by Brooke W. Mahoney - Volunteer Consulting Group

3/23/2004

Because of the sensitive and rarely documented nature of abusive trustee behavior, Brooke Mahoney, VCG's Executive Director, invited Dr. Jonathan Lampert of the Ackerman Institute to conduct this interview with her so that the conversation could be informed by his experience as a psychiatrist who specializes in family therapy.

Fear And The New Board Member by Brooke W. Mahoney - Volunteer Consulting Group

3/23/2004

Too many boards, wanting to diversify the skills and experience of the governing group, soon lose the new trustee they've worked so hard to find. Four experts share why this happens--from a cultural, sociological, primatological and psychological perspective.

Business And Society: A Thirty Year Perspective by Brooke W. Mahoney - Volunteer Consulting Group

3/23/2004

Arthur White has been a civic pioneer--examining the intersections of business, community and government. In conversation with Cynthia R. Cox Roman, a former colleague, and Brooke Mahoney, VCG's Executive Director, he reflects on the ebb and flow of "business consciousness."

Individuals Volunteering by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Historical Quote from Alexis de Tocqueville about the early growth of the nonprofit/association in America.

Thomas Jefferson by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Thomas Jefferson comments on organizational involvement in early America

John Marshall by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Information about John Marshall's ruling regarding Dartmouth college -- that defined the separation between the nonprofit sector and government in America

Building a Nonprofit Sector in Developing Countries: Its Not Easy by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

A friend of boardnetUSA shares that developing a nonprofit sector in other nations is not simple.

Good Faith by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Definition of "Good Faith" relating to Legal Responsibilities of Board Members

Ordinarily Prudent Person by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Definition related to the Legal Responsibilities of board members,

Best Interests by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Definition related to the Legal Responsibilites of board members.

Personal Gain by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Defintion related to the Legal Responsibilities of board members.

Self-Interest Transactions by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Definition relating to the Legal Responsibilities of board members.

The Nonprofit Sector by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

The Nonprofit Sector area of the Resource Center is a good starting point for candidates who are not intimately familiar with the principles, history and operational structures that influence to development and governance of nonprofit organizations.

First Think About ... by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Before embarking on your journey to it is important to determine how you feel board service could enrich your life and what you can reasonably offer an board.

Perceived Barriers by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

This area will attempt to correct any misconceptions about the board experience.

How to Prepare by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

If you don't feel quite ready to become a board member, here are other ways to get to know the nonprofit sector better.

Courting a Board by boardnetUSA

3/1/2001

Just as a job applicant needs to research a company and prepare for an interview, candidates need to learn about the organization and know what to ask when offering themselves to a board. This area will provide you with some guidelines on how to navigate this courtship process.

Grassroots Organizations by Barbara Draimin - The Family Center

3/1/2001

An Executive Director gives her personal perspective on the importance of board members in grassroots organizations

Being a Catalyst on a Board by Mel Meskin - Verizon Communications

3/1/2001

A board member speaks about his experience being a catalyst for change on a board.

The Dynamic Board: Self-Assessment Tool (Long Form) by McKinsey & Company

4/27/2004

This 30 minute self-assessment tool can help boards evaluate their current performance against promising practices.

The Dynamic Board: Self-Assessment Tool (Standard Form) by McKinsey & Company

4/27/2004

This 15 minute self-assessment tool can help boards evaluate their current performance against promising practices.

The Dynamic Board: Self-Assessment Tool (Short Form) by McKinsey & Company

4/27/2004

This five minute self-assessment tool can help boards evaluate their current performance against promising practices.

Board Recruitment in the Nonprofit Market by Booz Allen Hamilton and Volunteer Consulting Group

5/12/2002

This study assessed the current practice of nonprofit board recruitment and its impact on nonprofit governance

Bridgestar Survey on Governance Practices by Bridgestar

11/17/2004

Bridgestar (www.bridgestar.org) conducted a survey of its members to learn more about the role that boards of directors are playing within nonprofit organizations. According to the survey, boards of directors are playing increasingly strategic and broad roles.

Research Report: The Board Marketplace--Bridging The Gap Between Nonprofit Boards & Trustees by Volunteer Counsulting Group

4/28/2005

This report's focus is to inform communities, board members, nonprofit leaders, researchers, and philanthropists about the opportunity they have to breathe new life into our nation's nonprofit boardrooms

Monograph: The Role of the Board Chairman by Volunteer Consulting Group

4/28/2005

The Role of the Board Chairman provides helpful hints, guidelines and definitions of this important and unique leadership role.

The Special Events Toolbox by Cause Effective

4/28/2005

An excellent resource, full of templates, tools and tips, and I am sure many of the organizations that you serve would benefit immensely from it.

2004 boardnetUSA Customer Satisfaction Survey Results by boardnetUSA

6/30/2005

In December 2004 boardnetUSA conducted its third annual customer satisfaction survey. This online survey collected both board and candidate user opinions on the operation, utility and effectiveness of boardnetUSA.

2005 boardnetUSA Impact Survey by boardnetUSA

8/5/2005

With the arrival of the Internet, it finally became possible to give nonprofit boards an open and vital human resource of skilled individuals interested in board service. This survey tests the effectiveness of the first group of board elections connected through the power of the Internet.

July 2005 Board Election Demographic Report by boardnetUSA

7/27/2005

Since January, 2003, quarterly surveys have been sent to users to learn about board elections. To date 641 board elections have been documented through this data collection method. This report presents the aggregated demographics of the candidates and boards that were connected based on data entered in their boardnetUSA profiles at the time of the survey.

boardnetUSA Candidate Profile - Hard Copy by boardnetUSA

1/6/2006

A great tool to assist in the completion of the boardnetUSA your candidate profile. This document contains all of the questions contained within the "My Profile" area of your account.

boardnetUSA Election Demographics January 2006 by boardnetUSA

2/9/2006

This report presents the aggregated demographics of the candidates and boards that were connected based on data entered in their boardnetUSA profiles at the time of the survey.