Five MORE New Year's Resolutions for Nonprofits

Last week we shared five ideas for groups looking at the start of a new fiscal year as a chance recharge and reset. Five might be more than enough for any one of us, but nonprofits can have a lot of moving parts. Think of these as solid practices for groups to consider doing annually.

Here in Part 2, we’re adding five more resolutions for the all-important matter of governance. How an organization is governed is not a one-and-done activity. It takes regular care and feeding – by the board.

So here we go!

1. Look at the last date on your bylaws. How long has it been since the board reviewed this document? If it’s located in a notebook covered in dust, it’s time. Bring together a group of board members (if you don’t have a governance committee – see #5) and make sure the bylaws meet today’s needs (not 20 years ago when first written) and that you are in compliance. Once changes are adopted, put the updated version in the shared file so all board members have continuous access to it.
2. Double check your compliance. Are you in compliance with the laws and regulations governing nonprofits in your state? Find a checklist from your state’s regulatory body (such as the secretary of state or attorney general) or from your statewide association of nonprofit organizations. Review the IRS compliance guide. Ask questions if you don’t know whether documents are being filed with the authorities in a timely way each year.?
3. Dust off your policy manual. Wait! Do you even have one? If you do, now’s a great time to revisit it. If you don’t, then consider creating one. It doesn’t have to be daunting. You can take it in pieces. Start with the questions that the IRS 990 asks related to conflicts of interest, document retention and destruction, and whistleblowers, just to start. Don’t worry about the paper copies. A shared file with the policy documents in it is just fine.
4. Look at who’s on your board. We’re not suggesting you kick people off randomly. It’s important, however, to have the right people with the right skills, experiences, and connections to contribute to your organization’s sustainability and growth. Take some time to look at the current composition of the board. Identify any current or future gaps and develop a plan to recruit newcomers.
5. Take a look at your governance committee. Still operating with a nominations committee? That’s so yesterday! Modern boards now have a governance committee which is responsible not just for nominations but also for board evaluations, bylaws and policy reviews, board composition, ensuring the board is well-functioning and the board members are enjoying their service.?

A healthy purpose-driven organization begins with healthy governance. None of it is difficult, and there are wonderful resources available for free. We heartily recommend checking out the resources posted on the websites of BoardSource, Candid, and the National Council of Nonprofits. There’s no need to go it alone - many organizations stand ready to help.

Are you part of an emerging or small non-profit ready to reach your next level of organizational impact? Are you ready to do the work? The Level-Up Nonprofit Accelerator is a learning community just for you. Full scholarships are available now for upcoming fall cohorts for our 28-week accelerator program. Learn more at lunaexperience.org.