Suggested Items to Include in a Nonprofit Board Manual

When was the last time you took a look at the materials your board members are given when they join your board?  Do you even give them materials or do they just show up at their first board meeting hoping for the best?  If there are materials are they presented in a format that can easily be referenced?  These are key questions given the serious legal responsibilities inherent in board service.  Consider providing the following documents in a binder that allows for updating as necessary.

  • Meeting Dates
  • Board Roster
  • Board Objectives
  • Expectations of the Board
  • Legal Responsibilities
  • Job Descriptions
  • Board Member
  • Board Officer
  • Committee Chair
  • Committee Member
  • Committee Descriptions
  • Committee Rosters
  • Staff Roster
  • Organizational Chart
  • Mission Statement
  • Vision Statement
  • Organizational Values
  • Brief Organizational History
  • Facts and Figures
  • Talking Points
  • Program Descriptions
  • Budget
  • Financial Reports
  • Fund Raising Case
  • Development Plan
  • Planned Giving Vehicles
  • Investments
  • List of Fees for Services 
  • Sources of Unrelated Business Income
  • Bylaws
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • IRS Determination Letter
  • State Sales Tax Exemption Letter
  • Policy Statements
  • Parliamentary Protocol
  • Board Referral Forms
  • Committee Referral Forms
  • Strategic Plan
  • Public Relations/Marketing Plan
  • Promotional Materials
  • Media Clippings
  • Annual Report
  • Relevant Articles
  • Other Board Education
  • Agendas
  • Minutes

No doubt you can think of other things to include as well.  An informed and educated board member can be a powerful and helpful board member. 

 

 

updated 10/23/07

 

 

 

 
 
 
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