(from McKinsey & Company) Whether you work with a school's board of trustees or serve on any kind of nonprofit board, you can help your board perform better by participating diplomatically and actively in discussions, even difficult ones. Be prepared to ask questions and probe for answers. Four important questions apply to all nonprofits:
Are we succumbing to mission creep? Even if your mission is clear and well-focused (not all are), board members and senior staff should thoroughly review it every three to five years. This will help sharpen everyone's understanding of the organization and commitment to maintaining it.
How is our 'theory of change' informing our strategy? Have a step-by-step outline, ideally informed by empirical evidence, of how the organization's efforts and initiatives will translate into impact for members, families or other beneficiaries.
How are we evaluating our impact? Insist on regularly measuring impact as part of a dynamic feedback loop (testing and improving) that helps to drive organizational strategy.
Do we have the right 'fuel' to drive our organization? A nonprofit is a living, breathing organization that requires great people, a strong organizational structure, sufficient funding and so on in order to operate effectively. Check your 'fuel guages' on a regular basis.
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