There comes a point in every nonprofit that founders recognize they need advice, direction and more pairs of hands. This is when many form boards of directors. But not all boards work in the same way. In fact, there’s many governance models that can be used to ensure your charitable organization is run properly and fulfills its stated purpose.
One of the most popular governance models for nonprofits is an advisory model. This allows the executive director to consult regularly with an advisory board for suggestions on how to run the nonprofit. The governing board may be different from the advisory board based on the guidelines agreed on. Another popular model is the cooperative governance model. It is a democratic structure that shares power equally among board members. It is best for companies that aren’t required by law to have an executive.
The Policy Board Model has also been gaining popularity. This model of governance was designed by John Carver and is a great tool for creating policies that both management and the board have to adhere to.
While all of these are excellent models, they might not be the right choice for your organization. It is common for nonprofits to have a central governance model, to which they can add other models to meet their unique needs. This mix of systems can help your organization to grow and achieve its goals.