Board Café

MY DAD WAS THE TREASURER OF HIS SQUARE DANCING CLUB

. . . for years, and it was a much bigger job than it sounds. If you're one of those unsung heroes that does the accounting for your organization, you'll probably enjoy "Self-Help Accounting: A Guide for the Volunteer Treasurer," published by Energize Press in Philadelphia. 215-438-8342. Spiral-bound, 104 pages. $14.75 plus $3.75 shipping/handling. You can also order it on-line at www.energizeinc.com. It goes over everything, from filling out the check stubs to preparing the monthly reports to the board . . . all in a friendly, non-patronizing style.

ASK THE BOARD PRESIDENT OUT FOR LUNCH

Is one of the reasons you joined the board because you were intrigued by getting to know some of the other board members? Call the board president and ask him or her to lunch--pick an outdoor location (after all, it's spring!). Say that you're interested in finding out what his personal vision is for the organization, or tell her that you'd like to know why she's on the board and get some tips on becoming a more effective board member. Don't wait . . . sooner than you think one of you will be off the board and you'll have missed your chance.

FREE BOOKLET ON DISABILITY ACCESS

Is the nonprofit on whose board you serve accessible to people with disabilities? Do a favor for your organization's clients and visitors and call 800-444-0120 for the free booklet, "Understanding the ADA" (or any of their other booklets), from the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. You can have it sent directly to your executive director or office manager.

NONPROFIT BINGO: WHAT'S THE LAW?

Nonprofits conducting bingo, lotteries, pull-tabs, pickle jars (pickle jars?) and other "games" need to know the whole story on what's taxable to the nonprofit, special forms that need to be filed, the "volunteer labor exception," and tax withholding on winnings. The IRS' excellent "Gaming Publication for Tax-Exempt Organizations" (just came out last month) goes over it all, and even includes sample spreadsheets for recordkeeping. Order it from the IRS (it's Publication 3079) or download it tonight from www.irs.ustreas.gov/forms_pubs/index.html. And I thought pickle jars were about . . . kosher, dill, sweet . . .

THE MOST OF TIME TOGETHER

by Contributing Editor David LaGreca (Volunteer Consulting Group)

1. Ask the board to decide the year's agenda. At the beginning of each fiscal year, put a brief item on the agenda where board members can say what organizational programs or community issues they would like to learn more about over the coming year. Then ask the executive director to schedule these for the year and board members will be able to look forward to topics they asked for.
   
   
2. Cancel a meeting if there's no real work to do. If the key agenda item was meeting with the auditor, and the audit isn't done, reschedule.
   
   
3. Decide something at every meeting. If there aren't enough issues for meaningful action at every meeting, consider meeting less often.
   
   
4. Try an unconventional place to meet as part of "stealth board education." If youÕre on the board of a performing arts organization, why not meet on stage once a year? If you're on the board of an independent school, try holding a meeting in the science lab or the school library. A food bank? Try having a meeting in the middle of the warehouse.
   
   
5. Make sure there's opportunity to get to know one another. After all, that's one of the main reasons we all joined the boards we did! Name tags and snacks before or after every meeting. Ask the executive director to add to one of the agendas that you'll be buying the first round of drinks for board members who join you after the meeting.
   
   
6. Work with the executive director to put together a readable, relevant, INTERESTING board packet that goes out to board members at least a week ahead of time.
   
   
7. Finally, make sure EVERYONE says something during the meeting. If you're chairing, invite quiet board members to speak by asking them directly for their opinions on the topic at hand. If youÕre not the chair, you can involve others by saying, "Sylvester, I'm wondering what YOU'RE thinking about all this."

Contact Information