Named one of the “Five Best Books for Nonprofit Leaders” by CharityNet USA

Are you new to a board and have no idea what’s expected of you? Do you know what a board’s six key responsibilities are? Do you know what your relationship with the Executive Director should be? If not, this book is for you.

So many board members—especially of small nonprofits—want to support a nonprofit and readily accept the invitation to join the board. It’s only then that they discover they are in over their heads, with no idea of their expectations and responsibilities. The Little Book of Boards is here to throw that drowning board member a rope.

Told with a conversational style, this book will lead you through the basics of being on a board, how meetings work, and what’s expected between meetings. In addition, at the back of the book are several in-depth resources for understanding Roberts Rules of Order, bylaws, committee structures, board leadership, and much more. Perfect for any new board member—or for an entire board that is feeling lost—this book and its common sense approach will serve you every year you are on the board.

New in the Second Edition:

The heart of the book is the same: a concise, practical guide to help board members and nonprofit leaders understand their roles and do their jobs well. But I’ve made some changes

• A new chapter on “getting things done.” This might be my favorite topic in general, ha, but it’s important here. How does a board actually move the needle within the nonprofit board system? I delve in.
• A new chapter for the executive director with ideas on how to work with a board and support them.
• An expanded section on board structure and board foundations
• Updated information about new technology, including digital communication, board portals, and AI
• And more!

I’ve also worked to keep the book practical and efficient. Get in, get what you need, and get back to the good work your nonprofit is doing.