Previous Boardlink Articles
Do Unto Others...
by Tom Lothamer
The board's role in governance of a ministry includes policymaking, budget oversight, strategic planning, public relations, fundraising, and so on. However, being a board member also requires having the proper attitude about the ministry.
Integrating Governance and Planning (Part 2)
by Dale Lefever & Bob Andringa
Key to effective strategic planning for nonprofits is having a shared sense of what it is, why it is done, and where the board and CEO can and should partner in the process.
The "Focus Five" Assessment Tool
by Focus on the Family
How does a Board handle differences of opinion and perspective among its members? At Focus - where we also have many spiritually mature, independent thinkers - we use a team assessment tool called "The Focus Five" to help encourage healthy interaction and team commitment to our decisions.
Change
by Pat McLaughlin
Life is Change, Growth is Optional, Choose Wisely
Board Statesmanship
by Paul D. Nelson
Do you ever feel you fall short? Take heart and remember Peter, who fell short but had the courage to try again.
I Like Your Boldness
by Ron Haas
How aggressive should you be when asking particular donors for money?
Who's My Boss, Anyway?
by Tom Lothamer
The Board speaks as one, not as individuals. Keep this in mind, to avoid confusion and misdirection.
"It's Your Call — We're With You"
by Kirk Walden
One of the greatest gifts a board can provide to a leader is to be willing to say, "It's your call — we're with you."
Guerilla Fundraising
by Ron Haas
When you can't pay top dollar for fundraising events & expertise, how do you get the financial support you need?
Vision
by Ed M. Smith
How do you develop and implement a forward-looking plan for your organization?
The Power of One
by Kirk Walden
Don't get stuck in depression about where you are -- think about your potential.
Fraud Risk Assessment and Policy
by Gregory B. Capin, CPA
Even nonprofit organizations should have a predetermined policy on misconduct and dishonesty. Refer to the sample policy to get started!
Staffing Conflicts
by Kirk Walden
When an unhappy employee approaches the board, do you know how to respond?
Succession Planning
by Rev. Patrick L. Clements
Don't minimize the impact of a leadership change on your organization.
Ambassadorship
by Tom Lothamer
Learn how you can become an effective ambassador to faithfully represent your ministry.
NonProfit Strategic Planning
by the Andringa Group
Discover your organization’s specific purposes using this working definition and overview of a strategic planning process.
Teamwork in Resource Development
by Scott Rodin
Create the right expectations between the board chair, the chief executive officer and the chief development officer.
A Back Pocket Letter
by Kirk Walden
A plan you can put into action within 10 days if the economy threatens your PRC.
Be Prepared
by Jerry Thacker
Communication is a top priority for the new year. Who's on your list to talk to?
Living Out a Fear-Fighting Faith
from Servants of Excellence
Faced with the choice of saving her own life by remaining silent or standing up to protect her people, Esther chooses faith. What will we choose?
Thanks, But No Thanks
by Ron Haas
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, remember to thank your donors! Here are 10 thank you tips to use year-round.
IRS Forms 990 & 1023: Public Disclosure
by Thomas A. Glessner
Have you ever looked at your 990? Did you know you were supposed to? Here’s how to make sure you’re meeting IRS guidelines for public disclosure.
Big Rock Fundraising
by Ron Haas
How can you help your ED identify major donors that will sustain your ministry?
Term Limits
by Tom Lothamer
Once a board member, always a board member? Does your board have a term limit policy?
Let's Build Something Together
by Ron Haas
Do you feel like you're carrying the burden of your ministry all by yourself? Here’s how Nehemiah helped the Israelites rebuild the broken defenses that made them vulnerable to their enemies.
Determining Whether to "Go Medical": A Board Assessment Survey
by Thomas A. Glessner, J.D.
When a PRC wrestles with the prospect of converting to a medical clinic, the Board is faced with many questions as part of the decision-making process. Here's an assessment survey to guide your discussion, as well as information about grants to help you cover the cost.
Reaching Out to Men
by Paula E. Smith
For every woman your ministry serves, there is a man. The problem is that most of them don't know how to be real men.
The Quiet Secret of Ministry Staff — Money Matters
by Kirk Walden
There are bills to pay and the pressure of the work is enough without having to go home and be concerned over financial matters. Our only alternative is to take a hard look at our salary structure.
Creating Compensation Plans for Your PRC
by Beth Chase
Determining your Center's compensation philosophy and corresponding guidelines is among one of the most important responsibilities of the boards of directors of nonprofit corporations.
Historic Research Project
by Sanctity of Human Life dept
Focus on the Family® is conducting an extensive research effort to gather necessary information to help you succeed in this ever-changing fight for life.
I.M.A.G.I.N.E.
by Kirk Walden
Seven keys to a vibrant board of directors
Properly Amending Policies & Procedures
by Thomas A. Glessner, J.D.
Written policies and procedures are the starting point for defensible, consistently applied, and ultimately effective organizational practices in every nonprofit.
The Dynamics of Leadership – Part 1
by Darlene Norberg
This four-part leadership series will examine basic leadership principles and how they can be applied within your organization.
Quick Reads to Keep You Ahead of the Curve
by Kirk Walden
A board member who reads gains perspective, more vision and a clearer understanding of the ministry he or she oversees. Here are several opportunities to stay ahead of the curve as a board member.
We Are a Ministry of Choice, and Always Will Be
by Kirk Walden
Whenever the subject of abortion comes up, we will likely hear someone say that he or she believes in the “right to choose,” as if somehow Thomas Jefferson penned something in the Constitution that all of us missed.
PRC Investigative Insurance Questions
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Liability insurance is a necessity, and it can be a very confusing issue to navigate. The following document was prepared to assist Executive Directors/CEOs/Boards of Directors as they review their insurance needs and potential insurance providers.
Coaching the Executive Director
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
The evaluation of the Executive Director is one of the most important, yet difficult responsibilities of serving on the board. Is there a way to make this experience enjoyable and productive?
The Ten Dysfunctions of a Board
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
Boards must continually evaluate themselves to be sure they are not falling victim to any of these dysfunctions.
Build a Caring Community
by James C. Galvin
Are your board meetings all business and no fun? Learn why it's important to play while addressing the daily challenges of running a Pregnancy Resource Center.
Begin with a Consent Agenda
by James C. Galvin
Learn how a consent agenda can keep your board focused during meeting time for maximum communication.
Hand Signals for Board Meetings
by James C. Galvin
Does your board have trouble staying on track during meetings? Try these hand signals to foster more effective communication.
Donor Development Tips
by Al De La Roch'e
As a board member you may be called upon to help the Executive Director of the center build relationships with donors in your community.
Can Your PRC Survive?
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Many times in ministry work, it's easy to forget that we operate in a competitive environment. Yes, we see abortion providers as opposition, but this is not a Pregnancy Resource Centers only competition.
The Business of Stewardship
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
It's disheartening to hear someone in leadership say ,“This is a ministry, not a business,” implying that the application of business principles is somehow “anti-God.”
Where and Who is the Board?
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
Does your Board of Directors understand the community they serve and know know their role in serving? Create a plan to learn and then apply this information.
Avoid Future Legal Attacks
by Beth Chase
Pregnancy Resources Centers may be vulnerable to legal attacks if they are functioning without a written statement on biblical qualifications for board membership and leadership.
Three Ways One Board Member Can Raise $100 to $5,000
By Beth Chase
Assuring that there is adequate funding for their life-saving Pregnancy Resource Center is one of the primary duties of the Board of Directors. But what can one board member do to make a difference?
Selecting New Board Members
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
What process should your board take to select new board members? Is it okay to take your time in the recruitment process?
What Does it Mean to be a Governing Board?
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
Pregnancy Resource Center literature often teaches that boards should be “governing.” What exactly does this mean? Dr. Richard Biery, M.D. has written the following to help understand the Biblical basis of governance.
Board Development
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Want to develop an effective, efficient board for your Pregnancy Resource Center? Here are some strategies that will help.
Board Meetings
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Prayer must always be the key element and focus of the board meetings themselves.
Community and Public Relations
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Good public relations should always be a goal of board members. Keeping the community informed about your center is important.
Community-Networking with Other Agencies
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Good community relations can be a real asset to your pregnancy center ministry. The board needs to look outward into the community.
Donor Gifts and Advertising
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Another consideration may be the implementation of an advertising policy regarding certain gifts.
Evaluating Center Finances
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
It is important to assess the finances of your center on an ongoing basis also.
Evaluating Staff and Executive Directors
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
You can evaluate staff by looking at four areas. Look for trends in number of staff grievances, look for the rate of staff turnover, look for the ratio of staff to clients served and look at absenteeism among staff members.
Executive Sessions of the Board
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Are there times when an executive session should take place without the executive director? Or, should he always be included in every session?
Fundraising and Development
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
To many involved in pregnancy center ministry work, the terms fundraising and development are synonymous.
Generational Leadership
by John R. Frank
Do leadership styles at your pregnancy resource center clash? Discover differences between between the Builder, Boomer and Buster generations.
Gift Acceptance Policy
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
Culturally, we have been taught that we should not question a gift when it is offered to us, but PRC boards that adopt this policy may be looking for problems.
Practices of Highly Effective Boards
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
Research shows there are three factors that are consistent for boards across some of the top effective organizations.
The Executive Director as Babysitter?
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
Who has ultimate responsiblity to lead your Pregnancy Resource Ministry? Is it the executive director or the board? Discover the answer here.
Using Your Newsletter in Community Relations
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Newsletters are an important way for pregnancy centers to communicate with vital constitutients. But they must be done professionally and accurately.
What is Your Program Worth?
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
“If we can save even one life, it will be worth the cost.” Can believing this be destructive to a Pregnancy Resource Center?
Who's the Boss of the Board?
by Sanctity of Human Life Dept
One of the main duties of a board of directors is to evaluate the executive director’s performance. But, who evaluates the board and who does the board work for; who’s the boss of the board?
About Board Meetings
by H.B. London, Jr.
While serving in the pastorate for many years, I sat in many, many board meetings.
Board Members and Financial Matters
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
At every regular meeting the Board should evaluate financial information and update their understanding of the organization’s financial condition.
Effective Boardmanship According to ECFA
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Much has been written about building effective Boards and boardsmanship, including detailed discussion of the various aspects of the Board's role and responsibilities.
Effectual Boardmanship
by Gary Barkalow
A board whose leadership is relevant not only sees to it that the organization is viable and ethical, but also effectual.The mission of most non-profits is in the realm of cultural or individual change and authentic change is always incremental and of the heart.
Ethical Mandates of Board Members
by Gary Barkalow
For a board to fulfill its Biblical and legal mandate, it must see to it that the organization is viable, but also ethical.
Evaluation-How is the Journey Going?
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Pregnancy resource centers need to be evaluated on a regular basis. Evaluations tell us where we have been, how things are proceeding, and what adjustments might be needed before pressing forward.
Examples of Policies for Pregnancy Centers
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Written policies capture the identity and character of the organization. Many times the organization’s mission statement, purpose, values, and statement of faith can be considered policies.
Legal Aspects of Board Membership
Sanctity of Human Life Dept..
Board members must clearly understand their legal responsibilities because there is definitely potential for legal liability when serving on a board.
Long Range or Strategic Planning for Boards
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Long range or strategic planning is not something every organization needs. The purpose is to answer the question, "What should we look like 3-5 years from now? What should we be accomplishing?”
Mission Statements for Pregnancy Centers
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
An org's mission is the reason for its existence. Having a mission statement that clearly defines what your pregnancy ministry hopes to achieve through its programs and activities is is a way to convey your passion or heart.
The Board Members Calling
by Gary Barkalow
We all have callings in life. Some start as a seemingly tiny desire or passion and develop into a significant aspect of our life, such as a calling to intercessory prayer, evangelism, ministry to the poor or teaching.
The Legal Mandate of Board Members
by Gary Barkalow
In widely accepted non-profit corporate law dealing with the responsibilities of board members, governance is described as three duties.
The Ministry of Boardmanship
by Gary Barkalow
Whether you joined a board from a sense of passion or simple circumstances, you must either develop a sense of calling for your participation. The "ministry of boardmanship" demands your heart, intellect, abilities, spirituality, energy, resources and time. It also requires dependency on God, just a any other ministry.
Three Important Questions
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
When a not-for-profit organization encounters failure-or even worse, scandal-its difficulties can often times be traced to some breakdown at the Board level.
Types of Mission Statements
Sanctity of Human Life Dept.
Here is an example of two ways for pregnancy resource centers to word their mission statement.
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