​As a seemingly seismic shift in how and why people work plays out in our businesses and organizations, it is important to recognize that moving between our professional and personal worlds is easier than it seems on the surface. We are shaped and influenced as professionals, people, and leaders by a combination of nature and nurture. We know that from studies of childhood development, and it certainly makes sense in this context as well. 

Of all the ways to volunteer with a nonprofit organization, serving as a board member can be one of the most rewarding. Boards are responsible for creating a governance structure that allows people and organizations to thrive, to serve as champions for a mission with which they deeply connect, and to build the professional skill sets of members.

In this post, an individual who both works in a nonprofit and has served on many boards shares their thoughts on the importance of advocacy, the role of board members in advocacy, and ways to make board members most effective.

This post is the sixth in a series about advocacy. In my last post, I shared an inspiring story about an organization that saw advocacy as part of the solution for its population. In the previous post, I interviewed elected officials to find out what they saw as effective. In an earlier post, Judy Reckelhoff, Chief of Staff for BoardSource, describes why they have elevated advocacy.

There are fiduciary responsibilities and liabilities involved with being a board member. 

​It is essential to know and understand them and the directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance coverage.

Have you ever been asked if you have Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) Insurance and struggled to answer what it covers? You know you purchase it, and you know your organization needs or is required to have it, but few of us can clearly articulate what it covers, what it excludes or how it can be easily customized to fit your organization. 

You made it! 
You have found the right non-profit organization and joined the board. The next question I hear most often is, “Now what do I do?” The answer to that question is both simple and complex. We are going to explore your responsibilities and the ramifications of your new role.