Doing Good Better: How to be an Effective Board Member of a Nonprofit Organization

Edgar Stoesz

Jun 2015 · Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

About this ebook

This trusted handbook for nonprofit board service is newly revised and includes new case studies and even more tips and ideas from the trenches of nonprofit board work. Doing Good Better is approachable wisdom. Edgar Stoesz has made Doing Good Better a guidebook for both board members of nonprofits, whether new to the task, or highly experienced.

First, Stoesz identifies two failings common to many boards of nonprofit organizations that are often overlooked:

1. A board’s governance role is very different from the role of management. “Making this distinction requires a reorientation for most board member, because in their day jobs, they are managers or employees.”
2. Boards often fail at two matters: a.) preparation of their members, and b.) regular evaluations of their own effectiveness and focus.

In short, pointedly-written chapters, Stoesz covers:

Helping Directors Understand Their Governance Role
A Plan to Fulfill the Purpose
Reporting Back to the Members
Planning Effective Meetings
Great Boards Have a Good Fight (occasionally)
Working Your Way Through a Crisis
Great Boards Celebrate
Leaving Right

Stoesz deftly interweaves background philosophy, vision, and razor-sharp specific ideas. "Discussion/Action Questions” conclude many of the chapters. In addition, Stoesz offers a “Board Evaluation Form,” a “Director’s Self-Evaluation Form,” and an outline for the “Executive Director Annual Review.”

About the author

Edgar Stoesz has spent most of his adult life in nonprofit organizations, both as director and employee. He has been active on the board of Habitat for Humanity, International, serving as Chair from 1991 to 1995. Additionally he has chaired the boards of Heifer Project, International; the American Leprosy Mission; and Hospital Albert Schweitzer. Stoesz has addressed or conducted workshops for more than 200 boards. He lives in Akron, Pennsylvania.