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Paj 30
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Downtown Dover Partnership
Capital City Transforma�on Alliance, Inc.
Thursday, July 31, 2025, 1 p.m.
Lunch served beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The Hive, 28 W. Loockerman St., Dover, DE
AGENDA
Rev. 7-31-25
12:30 Board members may arrive before actual meeting begins to begin lunch
DDP BOARD MEETING:
1-1:25 DDP board meeting)
• FY 2026 budget
• 120 S. Governors Ave.: Donated Properties - Ground Use Agreement
• Conflict of Interest Procedure
• General updates
BOARD MEMBER TRAINING:
1:25-1:45 Why does DDP have three non-profit entities? (Diane & Ken)
1. Main Street Dover
2. Downtown Dover Partnership
3. Capital City Transformation Alliance, Inc.
1:45-2:40 Key Elements of Effective Board Governance (Pt. 1) Earl Sissel (Over for bio.)
• Role of Non-Profit Boards
• Culture of High Performing Boards
• Legal and Ethical board Responsibilities
• Board Structure and Decision-making
2:40 Break
Required for CCTA board members to attend.
All DDP board members are invited and encouraged to remain for this portion of training.
2:50-4:10 Key elements of Effective Board Governance Overview (Pt. 2) (Earl)
• Board Responsibilities
o Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy
o Fiduciary and Legal Oversight and Accountability
o Building and Sustaining an Excellent Board
o Resource Development
• Is your Board a High Performing Board?
4:10-4:20 Question & Answer/Key TakeAways
4:20-4:30 Next Steps/Action Items
Agenda items as listed may not be considered in sequence. Pursuant to 29 DEL. C. 10004(e)(2), this agenda is subject to
change to include the addition or deletion of items, including executive sessions, which arise at the time of the meeting.
Paj 31
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Downtown Dover Partnership
Capital City Transforma�on Alliance, Inc.
Thursday, July 31, 2025, 1 p.m.
Lunch served beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The Hive, 28 W. Loockerman St., Dover, DE
Lead Consultant:
Earl Sissell
Vice President of Consulting
esissell@delawarenonprofit.org
302.330.7225
Earl Sissell is Vice President of Consulting at DANA. Earl brings a combination of business
development, financial management, strategic planning, and leadership expertise to this
engagement. Before coming to DANA, Earl’s work experience included more than a decade in
public and private finance and venture capital. He served as a faculty member of higher
education and at independent schools; as well as serving in a Head of School and CEO for
both private and charter schools in the Philadelphia region. His expertise includes strategic
planning, nonprofit governance, board development, and nonprofit finance. Earl is a
graduate of Kenyon College (BA in Sociology and Anthropology) and the University of
Pennsylvania (M.Ed. in Elementary Education). He is a Standards of Excellence certified
consultant.
Agenda items as listed may not be considered in sequence. Pursuant to 29 DEL. C. 10004(e)(2), this agenda is subject to
change to include the addition or deletion of items, including executive sessions, which arise at the time of the meeting.
Paj 32
7/31/2025
The Downtown Dover Partnership operates with What’s the difference between a 501(c)(3) or
three non-profit entities: 501(c)(6) entity?
1. Downtown Dover Partnership - 501(c)(6) 1. Purpose & Activity
2. Main Street Dover - 501(c)(3) 2. Political Engagement
3. Capital City Transformation Alliance - 501(c)(3) 3. Donations, Fundraising and Membership
4. Grants
What’s the difference?
How does the DDP use each of its non-profits?
© DANA 2023 Not to be reproduced without permission. © DANA 2023 Not to be reproduced without permission.
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Think about...
Why do you serve as a Board Member with the
Downtown Dover Partnership? Board Excellence Training
for Capital City Transformation Alliance
July 31, 2025
Earl Sissell | Vice President of Consulting
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Paj 33
7/31/2025
About DANA Thank you to our Alliance Partners
• Mission to strengthen, enhance & advance Nonprofits in Delaware
• Advocacy
• Capacity Development (workshops, mentoring, consulting)
• Networking/collaboration facilitation
• Information & Resources
• Provide Expertise to Nonprofits
• Engaged & Effective Nonprofit Boards
• Sustainable Organizations
• Strategic Planning
• Leadership Development
• Support an alliance of over 500 nonprofits, foundation, & business partners
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Today’s Agenda
1:45 Key Elements of Effective Board Governance (Pt 1)
• Role of Nonprofit Boards
• Culture of High Performing Boards
• Legal and Ethical Board Responsibilities
• Board Structure and Decision-making
2:45 Break
2:55 Key Elements of Effective Board Governance Overview (Pt 2)
• Board Responsibilities
• Mission, Vision, Values and Strategy
• Fiduciary and Legal Oversight and Accountability
• Building and Sustaining an Excellent Board
• Resource Development
• Is Your Board a High Performing Board?
4:10 Q&A/Key Take Aways
4:20 Next Steps
4:30 Adjourn
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Paj 34
7/31/2025
Ownership
What is the Role of a Nonprofit
Board?
Measures of Success
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The board is charged
to independently oversee a nonprofit… Nonprofit Governance Accountability
…To ensure the organization can continue to Community
deliver its mission now
and in the future.
Board of Directors
Internal Stakeholders
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Paj 35
7/31/2025
Nonprofit Board Members Serve as …
• Visionaries … imagine … plan …
• Stewards … manage … monitor … Culture of High Performing
• Ambassadors … tell … invite … Boards
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Culture of High Performing Boards
Clarity about Legal and Ethical Board Roles and Responsibility
Intentionality about the structure of board processes and policies
Intentionality about the structure and content of meetings
What are the Responsibilities of
Clarity about Board vs. Chief Executive and staff roles and responsibilities and boundaries
Established plans for board recruitment and leadership succession/continuity
Set and monitor annual performance goals for the board, executive, committees, and organization
Evaluates to Improve
Reviews Board Performance at least every two years to understand board members’ perception of
a Nonprofit Board?
effectiveness
Full board as a collective and individual board members
Measures the degree in which board members are aligned
Actively monitors organization’s financial health and manages risks
Evaluates Chief Executive annually using shared goals with measurable outcomes
Evaluates program effectiveness using shared measurable outcomes
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Paj 36
7/31/2025
Board Governance -Two Responsibilities Duty of Care
(How We Govern)
Actively participate in planning and decision-making in a prudent, diligent
and informed way. Caring for Assets: People, Property & Capital
Type I – Fiduciary Governance Type II – Strategic Governance
Use a degree of diligence, care & skill
Stewardship of tangible • Regularly attend meetings
Strategic partnership with
assets. management. • Read & evaluate meeting materials in advance
• Ask questions and participate in discussions
Focus is on oversight. Focus is on strategy.
• Be knowledgeable about the organization’s purpose, programs,
operations & environment
• Maintain confidentiality as appropriate
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Duty of Loyalty Duty of Obedience
(Why We Govern in Certain Ways) (What We Honor)
Act in the best interests of the organization over personal interest and
avoid any conflicts of interest. Why We govern in Certain Ways Comply with all applicable laws, ethical standards, and the organization’s
governing documents, while carrying out the Mission.
• Act “in good faith” in interest of organization over personal interests, or • Board members ensure organization is operating to further its stated purpose
interests of another person or organization. (as outlined in the Articles of Incorporation)
• Decisions are made for organizational purposes and not to benefit:
• Position of authority • Ensure that organization is both legally and ethically compliant with laws,
contracts, and other agreements
• Donor level
• Connection • Policies & procedures to ensure monitoring and reporting compliance are in
place.
• Considers conflicts of interests and need for confidentiality
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Paj 37
7/31/2025
What is a Conflict of Interest?
Avoiding Conflict of Interest
Why does it matter?
Establish a Conflict of Interest Policy.
Conflicts of interest occur when an individual's personal interests –
family, friendships, financial, or social factors – could or do Require that board members sign a Conflict of Interest Statement
compromise judgment, decisions, or actions. annually listing potential conflicts.
Establish decision-making policies, for example when choosing board
Conflicts of Interest are about more than money. members, employees, or vendors, that minimize opportunities for
Failing to disclose conflicts of interest lead to a loss of trust between conflicts of interest.
board members, the board and the organization, and an organization Educate the board about the organization’s policies and procedures
and its stakeholders. In many cases, substantial conflicts of interest regarding conflict of interest.
can result in legal action. Encourage board members to “err on the side of caution” if they feel
The perception of a conflict of interest is just as damaging as an they might have a conflict of interest.
actual conflict of interest.
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Scenario
At its upcoming meeting, the Board of Directors of NEI will consider purchasing a vacant
property.
The property is owned by a for profit corporation, Real Estate Holdings Corp. (REHC). The property
Board Structure and
has been closed and on the market for over three years. The property purchase was presented to
NEI’s management by a member of its Board of Directors, who is the President of REHC.
Decision-Making
In considering the acquisition, NEI management has looked at two ways to use the property 1) for
its own use, or 2) develop it for the purposes of leasing it for a future revenue stream.
Potential lenders are being considered to finance the purchase and development of the property.
Two of NEI’s board members are employed by the banks being considered, and one is the brother
of the Executive Director.
What conflicts of interest exist? What Duties apply to this scenario? What
questions should the board ask as it considers the transaction? What actions
could/should the board take to protect the organization against conflicts?
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Paj 38
7/31/2025
Typical Board Activities Great Boards are Great Teams
Monitoring Providing Resources
• Financial and legal oversight • Setting strategy
• Policy setting • Contributing expertise
• Selecting, supporting, and • Representing stakeholder interests
evaluating the CEO • Recruiting board members
• Monitoring annual plan & • Raising funds
performance • Promoting the organization &
serving as a network to important
• Evaluating board performance individuals and groups
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A great team has high performance Bylaws - Board’s “Rulebook” for Decision
expectations of their players Making
• Purpose of the Organization
• Membership
• Composition & Conduct of the Board (how many, terms & limits, Officers)
• How Decisions are Made & Who has Authority (quorum)
• Committee Structure and Responsibilities (Standing and Ad Hoc)
• Meeting Requirements (regular and special or emergency)
• Indemnification
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Paj 39
7/31/2025
Board Governance -Two Different Levels
Dynamics of Nonprofit Governance
The Board The Board Member
The issues, needs, and challenges in an organization change
and reflect its stage of development.
A collective leadership body with the Individual accountable to uphold
Consequently, the role of the Board – and the practice authority to make decisions and fiduciary responsibility, honor
leads as a unit commitments, actively engage, and
of governance – must adapt as well. inform the collective regarding
implications of decisions
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Typical Board Structure
The Board Delegates Decision Authority & Work
Board
Influenced by: Typical Delegations:
Ex Officio
• Lifecycle o Board Officers
Board Committees
Board Officers Executive Executive Director • Whether there is paid staff o Board Committees
President Finance Deputy/Asst. Director
• Size and scale of the o CEO/Executive Director
Vice President Governance/Nominations CFO/COO
organization
Treasurer Development Division Directors
Secretary Program, Marketing, Property
• Regulatory environment
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Paj 40
7/31/2025
Why Form Committees? Types of Committees
• Standing
• Perform detailed work and oversight when the Board is not in
session • Committees, definede in the By Laws, that must exist for core functions
• Meet between board meetings to keep important work going • Executive
• Conduct investigative work • Finance
• Governance or Nominating
• Create draft policies • Development, Property, Program, Personnel
• Bring vetted information and recommendations to board for feedback
and decisions • Ad Hoc or Special
• Specialize in specific areas
• Provide support/oversight to board processes • Committees formed to meet an immediate short-term need
• Provide support/oversight to operations in absence of staff • Search Committee
• Serve as volunteers for special initiatives • Capital Campaign Committee
• A vehicle for vetting new board members, engaging staff/stakeholders • Building Committee
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Typical Board Committees Typical Board Committees
• Executive Committee • Governance Committee
• Consists of Board officers and sometimes committee chairs • Monitors board recruitment, succession, and orientation process, including
• Acts on the board’s behalf in the event of an emergency maintaining a board matrix, conflict of interest and board expectation statements
• A sounding board for the ED/CEO • Monitors board performance and oversees annual board performance assessment
• Assists in setting the board meeting agenda • Coordinates annual board calendar
• Establishes and monitors annual board development plan
• Finance Committee • Considers issues with individual board member performance
• Reviews interim financial performance data
• Works with ED to monitor budget development process and test • Development Committee
assumptions • Works with staff to monitor fundraising activities and test assumptions
• Hires auditor and monitors financial audit process • Provides strategic input to staff regarding Development and Fundraising plan
• Monitors investment performance and policies • Works with board to enhance the board’s participation in development activities.
• Monitors insurance policies and coverage
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Paj 41
7/31/2025
The Board Meeting is for Evaluation and
Scenario Decision-making as a Team
MHCF has experienced significant growth over the last several years
and have run out of space. The board, ED, and staff all agree that a • The Board’s corporate work is carried out at Board meetings
building expansion is needed. • Approval of records (such as board minutes)
• Vetting of assumptions and ideas
The staff wants to be involved in decisions about where to build, how • Decisions
much to build, how much to spend, how square footage will be • Delegation of tasks
• Evaluation & Direction
allocated, who to hire for the project, building design and materials,
and other details.
• Understand what is required vs. what is desired
What can the board do facilitate input, monitor progress, and access • Celebrations of success and lessons learned
resources to address the needs of the project? • Future-oriented vs. past focused
• Board Development
What expertise should they be looking for? • Team building
• Performance Review & Measures of success (Org/CEO/board)
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Scenario
Pet Cares Shelter’s Board meets every other month during the year. Meetings
typically last about 3 hours. They start 15 minutes late, board materials are
handed out at the start of the meeting, the Secretary reviews the minutes in
detail before approval, and the remaining portion of the meeting consists of Board, CEO, and Staff
Relationship
Committee Chairs reporting on what they did at their meetings. The Board Chair
and ED are frustrated that they have a difficult time getting a quorum to make
decisions.
What problems do you see with the way PCSVH’s meetings are structured and
executed?
What steps could the Board take to improve board meeting effectiveness?
How could board meetings be different if these changes were implemented?
How would this benefit the board and organization?
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Paj 42
7/31/2025
Organizational Roles & Authorities
Responsible for Mission delivery Board Chair and CEO Relationship
Organizational Health/Stability
Oversight of Policy implementation
Strategic/Operational Plan evaluation Leadership partner
CEO Community Collaborations
Sounding board
Accountable for Mission Confidant
Board Health & Stability
Policy Setting Board Responsible for Conduit to inform the Board
Strategic Planning Implementing and
Decision-making following policies Advocate to the board
CEO Selection & Evaluation Staff Performance
Community Connections tracking & reporting Consultant on operational Issues
Mentor/Coach to CEO
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Focus and Decision-Making Authority Scenarios
Focus Decision-Making Authority
The board hired a contractor to make major repairs on its facility. The
Mission/Vision
Policies (Conflict of interest, personnel and hiring
total contract is over $50,000.
policies, investments, etc.) Board Decisions
Strategic Oversight CEO It is discovered after the decision has been made that the contractor is
Fiduciary Oversight Input* related to a member of the Property Committee who voted in favor of
Legal Oversight awarding contract.
Strategic Planning
Development Planning Collaborative Decisions:
Financial Planning Board and CEO What are the problems?
Program Planning
Policy Implementation
Who needs to address it?
Daily Operations Decisions Board Input* How should it be addressed?
Hiring and Evaluating Staff
Program Implementation CEO Decisions*
What can be done to avoid the issue in the future?
Partner Relations
Facilities Management
Note: CEO decisions and input may incorporate staff input 2023 ©
Delaware Alliance
DANA 2023 foreproduced
Not to be Nonprofit
43
Advancement
without permission.
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Paj 43
7/31/2025
Break Mission, Vision, Values and Strategy
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Mission, Vision, and Values
Clear Purpose: A Strategic Framework
Mission: the purpose of your organization (what it does) –should
be clear, concise and limited
Vision Mission Values Programs Impact
What is CCTA’s mission?
What is the world you seek to create?
What is your role in creating this world? Vision: the outcome the organization hopes to achieve through
its purpose…how the world will look if the mission is
What values guide your work? accomplished
What is the CCTA’s vision?
What do you do to fulfill this role?
What is the expected result Values: the values that guide your work and decision-making
of your effort in the community?
What are CCTA’s values?
DANA 2022 Learning Insights 47 48
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Paj 44
7/31/2025
Clear Direction: Strategic Plan Strategic Plan Components
• Environmental Scan/Landscape Analysis (Interviews, Focus Groups, Survey)
• Positions the organization in the larger (external) environment • How are we perceived?
• Multi-year horizon (3-5 years) • Who else does what we do?
• What is/are our differentiator(s)?
• Identifies Strategies: High-level areas you focus on to achieve your mission • What do others wish we would do?
• What risks do others see?
• Articulates Strategic Outcomes: Priorities for what you want to accomplish.
• Strategic Planning
• Identifies Programs/Initiative: What you do to achieve Outcomes • Identify Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, Aspirations and Desired Results
(SCOAR)
• Establishes Conditions: Needed resources (people, space, partners, funding!) • Clarify Mission, Vision, and Values
• Identifies Collaborators: Who do/will/can you work with to reach goals. • Identify desired Outcomes of work in the next three to five years
• Aligns programs and services you deliver/want to deliver to achieve outcomes
• Key performance Indicators: Measurable outputs and (SMART goals) • Develop success metrics to measure the output success that lead to outcomes
• Identify key enablers, including resources (fiscal, human, and property), required
• Living document to which the organization should refer regularly - MONITOR meet those success metrics
• Can be an externally-facing document
DANA 2023 Not to be used without permission 49 DANA 2023 Not to be used without permission 50
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How the Mission, Vision, Values, Plan, and
Clear Direction: Annual Operating Plan(s)
People Work Together
• One-year horizon
Vision, Mission, Values = North
• Specific initiatives or activities to move the goals/objectives forward
• Include deadlines, person(s) responsible, costs Board = Compass
• Specific, concrete measures of achievement
• Reviewed regularly and progress reported Strategic Plan = Flight Plan
• An internal document
Executive/Leader = Pilot
Staff (and Volunteers) = Crew
DANA 2022 Learning Insights 51 52
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Paj 45
7/31/2025
A Good Plan Adapts as Conditions Change
• Plan for the unexpected
• Federal, State, Private Funding and Policy Climate
• Economic Climate
• Human Resource & Technology Requirements Fiduciary and Legal Oversight
• Increased expectation for collaborative efforts
• Resource Sharing
• Program partnerships
• Advocacy
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Financial Oversight, Planning, and Transparency Financial Oversight
Every Board Member should know…
What is our Business Model?
• Understand your organization’s business model
What is our greatest source of revenue and how stable is it?
What is the board’s role in securing resources and how are we doing? Sources of revenue (and how they are allocated to expenses)
What financial controls are in place to ensure no one is accused of Drivers of expense (and how they are allocated to funding
wrongdoing? sources)
Have all board members reviewed the most recent 990? Program profitability
Have you been audited by a 3rd party expert? (Typically for $250,000+ Cash Reserves, Cash Flow, and Sustainability
budget)
Does our Financial Plan match the Strategic Plan? • Regular review of financial position focused on Strategy, Budget, and
Is there a contingency plan if expenses or revenues don’t materialize? Key Performance Indicators
What reserves are needed so we can continue to innovate and expand? • The full board owns this responsibility
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Paj 46
7/31/2025
Nonprofit Phenomenon Restricted vs Unrestricted Funds
• Unique to nonprofits: fund type determines how it can be spent
• Unrestricted: can be spent by organization’s discretion
• Temporarily Restricted: donor restricts how funds can be
It is possible for a spent, released as conditions are met
nonprofit to have a • Permanently Restricted: fund balance (corpus) is held, and
only interest or a portion can be spent based upon
million in the bank yet donor/board restriction
cannot make payroll?
• Tracking funds by restriction is important
• Can result in spending down unrestricted
• Donor may wish to receive report on spending
• Audit helps to track balances
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Standard Reports to Review Elements of Financial Oversight
Financial Position
Internal Controls
• Statements about Current Position • Segregate duties
• Policies Enforced
• Balance Sheet
Insurance Policies
• Income, Liabilities, Fund Balance
• Income/Expense and net gain • Risk assessment
• Annually review policies, coverage and deductibles
• Perspective of position vs prior period Investment & Reserve Policies
• Statements about Future Position • Risk guidelines
• Investment Strategy
• Cash Balance Requirements
• Annual Financial Plan
• Cash flow projection Spending
• Capital spending projection (Depreciation) • Authorization Guidelines
• Process for Vendor Selection
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Paj 47
7/31/2025
Legal Oversight, Compliance & Risk
Financial Oversight, Planning, and Transparency Management
Bottom Line… Understanding compliance and legal climate
By-laws and Articles of Incorporation
Employment Laws
Tax Law
Fund/Donor/Contract Compliance
Are the assets of the organization being invested effectively and Codes of conduct/laws for specific industry in which org operates
efficiently to advance the intended community outcomes in a way Policies protect organization
that is viable today and into the foreseable future? Safety
Harassment
Whistleblower
Conflict of Interest
Insurance
Build in regular review of compliance into board schedule
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Sustaining Fiduciary Engagement
Prepare for Incoming Board Directors
Recruit members with experience
Orient board members to expectations
Provide Ongoing Training/Evaluation
Regularly review financial policies around compliance and controls Creating, Building and
Routinely educate board members on the organization, business model,
programs, market/climate, and best practices Sustaining a High Performing
Create a Culture of Accountability
Hold board members responsible for expectations Board
Be willing to disagree and discuss options
Once a decision is made – the decision is made (no “parking lot”)
Enforce confidentiality
Conduct annual leadership evaluation - Board and Executive Director 63 64
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Paj 48
7/31/2025
Each Nonprofit Board is Unique
Culture and Values
• Development Cycle
• Leadership
• Monitoring Capabilities
• Resource Needs
65 2021 Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement 66
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Think about... How Do Values Show Up in Governance?
• Lifecycle of board and organization
When you hear the word “culture,” what does it mean • Board member expectations
• For example, when do you hold your meetings?
to you? • By laws
• Composition of the board
• Decision-making processes
• Board policies and procedures
• Whether there is paid staff
• Regulatory environment
• Board assessments and focus on improved performance
• Future (proactive) vs Right Now (reactive) orientation
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Paj 49
7/31/2025
Board Composition Board Profile Considerations
• Size Demographic?
Location?
• Diversity (all
types) Skills?
Industry?
• Term Limits Background?
• Recruitment and Constituency?
Selection Process Network?
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Board Composition & Effectiveness Board Member Recruiting Process
Governance Activities
◦ What do we want our board to make possible?
◦ What work do we need to do to make it happen?
◦ What skills do we need? Discuss
Agree Connect the
Seek out nonprofit
◦ What perspectives do we needed? Understand Engage the
new impact and on
candidate
the need full Board to the
networks candidate Expectations Board
interest
Effective Decision-making & Goal Setting
◦ Board meetings
◦ Board member engagement
◦ Culture of Performance
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Paj 50
7/31/2025
Sustain Leadership Continuity
Share Expectations Before Election
• Board Leadership
• Officers
• Committee Chairs
• Shared Leadership
• CEO & Board Chair
• CEO & Committee Chairs
• CEO & Full Board
• Staff roles in relation to Board roles
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Succession Planning Board Development
• Plan for Leader transition – How to help Board members stay current and keep organization’s issues top of
unexpected and expected mind:
• Provide updates on market, organizational dynamics, insights into industry in
• Identify process for selecting successor which nonprofit operates.
• Update board members on program activities, accomplishments, metrics
• Determine who is responsible • Discuss board practices and improvement areas - Find or create scenarios to
practice common board activities or problem solve and then debrief on what
• Identify what you need and what you happened, why, and what could be done differently,
want • Review & reflect on key policy areas and local, state, regional, national trends
• Refresh on financial model, fundraising plans etc.
• Development opportunities before • Attend a governance workshop individually or as a group.
transition
“The only sustainable competitive advantage is an organization's ability to learn faster than the
• Onboarding for success competition.” ― Peter M. Senge
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Providing Resources
• Board must understand the resource needs of the
organization.
• Funds beyond cash reserves and “fee for service”
Resource Development • People (paid/volunteer)
Fund Development and Community Engagement • Infrastructure (buildings, IT, policies)
• Partners (collaborations, vendors,
alliances)
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Fundraising & Development Fundraising & Development
Transactional Relationships
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Development & Fundraising Development
Board Models Development Behavior
Create awareness of the organization's mission
Invite prospective contributors to events
Build/maintain stakeholder relationships
Relationships Transactions
Connect prospective contributors to leadership
What is the role of the Board member in Fundraising & Development? Recognize gifts
Ask for support
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Development & Fundraising
Community Engagement
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Paj 53
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The Board as an Advocate
Staying Abreast of Legislative Issues
• Advocate: a person who champions ....
• The Organization
• The cause • State
• The clients • Regulatory Issues
• The program • Tax Issues
• Funding for community-based services
• To…
• The Government • Federal
• Volunteers • Funding Priorities
• Donors • Tax Policies
• The community
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LOBBYING Strategic Partnerships
YES a nonprofit organization can lobby (and
must)! “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
• Board members can serve as the best • Nonprofits work within an ecosystem system (social,
ambassadors for government relations political, economic)
• Test for “Lobbying” • Efficiency across the system
• “Not a substantial part of • Sharing Resources
activities”
• Co-creating and executing programs
• Schedule C or 501 (h) election
• Avoiding Duplication
• No partisan activities • Funder and Government Expectations
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Scenario
You are surprised to find out that a combination of new state and
local regulations severely limits property development and use in
neighborhoods that impact your plans.
Should this have been a surprise?
What could have been done to avoid being surprised?
Culture of High Performing
What does the organization need to do to assess the impact? Boards
Is this a Board problem?
What can the board do to try to address the changes?
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Culture of High Performing Boards Is Your Board a High Performing Board?
Clarity about Legal and Ethical Board Roles and Responsibility
Yes/No/Maybe?
Intentionality about the structure of board processes and policies
Intentionality about the structure and content of meetings How do you know?
Clarity about Board vs. Chief Executive and staff roles and responsibilities and boundaries
Established plans for board recruitment and leadership succession/continuity When will you assessed your performance?
Set annual performance goals for the board, executive, committees, and organization are in place What are your Strengths?
Evaluates to Improve
Reviews Board Performance at least every two years to understand board members’ perception of What are your Opportunities for Growth?
effectiveness
Full board as a collective and individual board members
What steps are you taking or will you take as a board and Board
Measures the degree in which board members are aligned members to move towards Board Excellence?
Actively monitors organization’s financial health and manages risks
Evaluates Chief Executive annually using shared goals with measurable outcomes
Evaluates program effectiveness using shared measurable outcomes
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Thank you
Questions and
Key Take Aways Contact: Earl Sissell
esissell@delawarenonprofit.org
Earl Sissell, V.P. of Consulting
esissell@delawarenonprofit.org
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