The Art of Trusteeship: The Nonprofit Board Members Guide to Effective Governance - Hardcover

Widmer, Candace; Houchin, Susan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787951331 ISBN 13: 9780787951337

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2000

Synopsis

The well-being of any nonprofit organization rests first with itsvolunteer board of directors. This book offers board members theguidance they need to successfully govern their organizations--nomatter what type or size of nonprofit they may lead.

Written by Candace Widmer and Susan Houchin, The Art ofTrusteeship shows you how to fulfill ten key trusteeresponsibilities and includes much-needed detail on definingmission, strategic planning, executive selection and evaluation,fundraising, financial oversight, and board self-assessment. Thishands-on guide is filled with illustrative case studies andreal-life examples that clearly show how a variety of creativeboards have tackled challenges and strengthened theirorganizations.

"At last, a book that doesn't take a one-size-fits-all approach!The authors recognize that the huge diversity among nonprofitscalls for multiple ways of fulfilling basic board responsibilities.The book allows a board member to dive in at any point and find aconcise, clear set of options for handling the challenges oftrusteeship. It will help even first-time board members find firmfooting on the path to effective governance."
--Sara L. Engelhardt, president, The Foundation Center

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Nonprofit organizations are astonishingly diverse. They include colleges and universities, churches, professional associations, symphonies, museums, healthcare organizations and social welfare agencies. No matter what their mission, all nonprofit organizations are governed in the same way. They are entrusted to the care and direction of a board of directors.The Art of Trusteeship is a practical and down-to-earth guide that helps nonprofit board members fulfill their critical responsibilities with both wisdom and grace. Authors Candace Widmer and Susan Houchin—experts in the field of board governance-have developed an approach to board leadership that is both user—friAndly and flexible. It can be used by trustees from any type of nonprofit organization, whatever its mission, membership, or size. This book provides the information board members need to do everything from craft a mission statement to assess the organization's and the board's success. Step-by-step, the authors show how to provide oversight of nonprofit organizations and, at the same time, focus on strategic issues. The Art of Trusteeship explores all aspects of the board's role in mission, money, and management and spells out the ten fundamental board responsibilities. Board members will learn how to:? Establish and monitor the organization's mission? Plan strategically to achieve the mission? Oversee the programs intAnded to accomplish the mission? Communicate the mission and programs to the outside world? Oversee the organization's finances? Develop funds? Ensure sound risk management? Hire, supervise, support and, when necessary, remove the CEO? Select and educate trustees? Manage and evaluate the board's workThe Art of Trusteeship provides board members with pragmatic advice for governing their organization. Learn the skills you need to lead your nonprofit organization"This book delivers what trustees direly need but rarely get: plainspoken, practical ad

About the Author:

CANDACE WIDMER is professor of human services and sociology at Elmira College and a well-known consultant to nonprofits. SUSAN HOUCHIN is director of national services for Girls Incorporated and its seven year trustee Education for Excellence Project.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0787951331
• ISBN 13: 9780787951337
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256