More Great Resources for You!

We have moved six presentations to the free Better Boards. Better Communities. channel on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to keep informed. Take a look at our first course The Board Member 101.

Jul 16, 2025

We have started the transition of The Board Member 101: Your accelerated path to competence and confidence. The first six are there. Check them out!

Workbooks and other resources are linked through the descriptions of the videos. Did I mention that they are free?

Here are the brief descriptions:

Welcome & Course Overview | Board Member 101 • Lesson 1

Start your board journey with confidence. In this first lesson, you'll learn the true business of a not-for-profit board—community development—and the four unique responsibilities that define your role. Understand how this course complements your on-site orientation and sets you up for success as a contributing board member.

Know! Questions to Ask | Board Member 101 • Lesson 2

Going beyond the binder and facility tour, this lesson teaches you how to deepen your orientation by asking the right questions. Discover what information you really need from your Board Chair and CEO to become an effective and informed board member.

Governance as Leadership: Structure, Policy & Board Types | Board Member 101 • Lesson 3

What kind of board are you on—really? Learn why board structure matters, how policies drive governance, and why alignment between your committees and strategic plan is essential. This lesson unpacks Governance as Leadership in action.

Clarifying Roles: The Board, Chair & CEO | Board Member 101 • Lesson 4

Who does what—and why does it matter? This lesson explores the unique interplay between the board, its Chair, and the CEO. Clarify responsibilities, avoid overreach, and learn how to lead through governance, not management.

Your Role at the Table: Agreements & Effective Meetings | Board Member 101 • Lesson 5

What influence can one board member really have? A lot more than you think. In this lesson, we dive into the critical responsibilities of individual board members—and how your contributions can help shape a culture of assessment, inquiry, and transparency.

Fiduciary Duty & Financial Oversight | Board Member 101 • Lesson 6

What does it really mean to oversee a not-for-profit organization responsibly? In Lesson 6, we focus on the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of board members—especially the fourth core function: oversight. Learn how to move beyond passive reporting and into meaningful evaluation. Discover the importance of Key Success Factors (KSFs), how to monitor performance effectively, and why financial literacy is a must for every board member.

Subscribe (free of course) to our Better Boards. Better Communities. channel to stay informed and have access to everything.

Remember!

Our purpose is to empower not-for-profit leadership for greater community impact.

We provide original and expertly curated resources designed specifically for not-for-profit boards and their chief executive officers. These resources enable you to lead with greater effectiveness, strategic clarity, and purpose. By elevating leadership performance, we help organizations enhance the quality of life for those who live and work in the communities they serve.

Our home page Better Boards. Better Communities. is the central site for all things governance!

All of our services are now free.

For more insights on not-for-profit governance and leadership, subscribe to Governance as Leadership.

Share Governance as Leadership

How are you handling the new board member orientation?

What would best support you?