The Board's Context

To get a license to work as a taxi driver, you must show that you have driving skills and an ability to navigate city streets. If you want to be a physician, you need to have the required degrees and internships that have given you the necessary medical knowledge and practice.

A member of a non-profit board, however, is not typically required to have any knowledge about the sector or field in which their organization operates. This benefits charities by allowing for a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds to be represented at the decision making table. It benefits our communities by creating a venue for civic engagement and democratic activity. The potential disadvantage, though, is that boards may be expected to make some very responsible decisions, while lacking the context or background upon which to base these decisions.

Whether you are just getting started on a board or you are a veteran board member, it is important to have a basic understanding of the context in which your organization and your board are operating. You will make sound decisions, using a process that works well for your organization, if you have an awareness of:

• What the charitable sector is
• The type of organization and its obligations
• Current issues and trends in the charitable sector
• The board's role and the individual board member's role in a charitable organization
• The ways in which boards govern charities.

To build your fundamental board knowledge, learn more about the charitable sector.

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