Serving on a non-profit board?

If you are serving or considering serving on a non-profit board with a direct service mission, recognize that you have power and influence. Use this influence to advance equity in both the workplace and in board governance. What does this look like?

• Hold the CEO accountable to clear and measurable outcomes. Conduct annual performance reviews and quarterly assessments. Accountability is POSITIVE and POWERFUL. This is especially critical for organizations that provide services to and employ people of color. Develop well-defined and measurable strategies intended to advance equity in service delivery and agency culture and climate. Hold the C-suite team accountable to these strategies.

• Prioritize and demand diversity of thought and lived experience for board membership- it will strengthen the organization.

• Reject POVERTY wages. Board members have a fiduciary responsibility to maintain and sustain the fiscal health of an organization, this includes staff recruitment and retention. Develop concrete and transparent strategies for moving staff to livable wages. Strive to lift staff out of poverty.

• Develop a well-defined fiscal viability plan and hold the CEO accountable to implementing a fair compensation guide. When organizations require credentials like an MSW or CDA, yet do not offer competitive or fair compensation, recruiting and retaining talent becomes challenging.

• Receive training on Board Responsibilities, and gain knowledge on the demographic profile of both the staff and those receiving services. Board members should have a solid understanding of not only the mission of the organization, but of the systems and socio-economic conditions that make it necessary for people to seek services.

I have served in Executive Leadership positions with non-profit and state entities and have served on multiple non-profit boards. Having clearly defined roles and expectations for governance matters. Be an aspirational and engaged Board Member!