There might come a time when a board member is not showing up for meetings, reviewing meeting materials, or being a good steward of the organization. It is the role of the board chair to step in and have a conversation with that board member. Remember, board members are volunteers, so a delicate balance has to be reached. Oftentimes, people feel ob…

This week, we speak with the Honorable Adelaide “Alex” Sink. Alex served as Florida’s elected Chief Financial Officer from 2007 to 2011. Prior to elected office, Alex had a 26-year career at Bank of America where she served on several nonprofit boards. We discuss how serving on nonprofit boards helped her banking and political career, evaluating an…

A nonprofit's #1 currency is trust. Any fraudulent activity by a nonprofit agency negates this trust. The Board has a role and responsibility to minimize the risk of fraud. This week, we discuss 10 tips for nonprofit boards to help mitigate fraud in their organizations. Timestamps: 00:00 How nonprofit boards can mitigate fraud risk 01:40 #1-3 - Est…

This week, we speak with Hal Williams. Hal is the creator of Results 1st and the author of the new book “Put Results First”. Results 1st helps individuals and groups focus on results in each of their functions, activities, processes, and structures. Together, Michael and Hal dive into the 4 parts of the book, including discussions on defining succe…

In recent interactions with nonprofit board members, there has been a difference in familiarity regarding the operational nuances between for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Given that many board members do not interact with the organization on a daily basis, there may be unintentional assumptions about how nonprofits operate. In this episode, …

This week, we speak with Malcolm MacLeod. Malcolm is a board chair, retired nonprofit CEO, lawyer, and author of the book entitled, “The Practice of Philanthropy: A Guide for Foundation Boards and Staff.” Malcolm's book is the culmination of 19 years of experience spent as the president and CEO of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. Those 19 years …

In this episode, Michael shares insights from the Florida Philanthropic Network Annual Summit, highlighting five reasons why nonprofit professionals should attend conferences. He emphasizes networking, learning, idea generation, growth through association, and team building as essential benefits. Michael urges nonprofit leaders and board members to…

This week, we speak with Anne LeBaron, CEO of Take Stock in Children Manatee. Anne had quite the career in the for-profit world as former Sales, Marketing, HR and Recruiting manager before joining Take Stock Manatee as the CEO. Take Stock in Children Manatee is a mentor based organization that partners students with a mentor to earn a scholarship u…

This week, we discuss 3 easy ways to fundraise as a nonprofit board member. Fundraising as a nonprofit board member can be a contentious topic. Most people do not join a nonprofit board to fundraise. However, it is your responsibility as a board member to ensure the financial stability of your organization. Fundraising as a board member does not me…

This week, we speak with Janene Amick, CEO of Florida Cultural Group. Janene has been part of Florida Cultural Group (f/k/a Manatee Players, Inc.) for 19 years, beginning as a board member. Together, we discuss her role as Chief Cheerleader, her approach for fund development, and how she encourages her board members to fundraise. We also talk about…

This week we are discussing leadership tips and ideas for nonprofit CEOs. In this episode, we cover 5 easy to implement leadership tips any nonprofit CEO can benefit from. Michael has been working with nonprofit CEOs for the past several years. These tips are a culmination of what has worked the best for these CEOs when it comes to stakeholder buy-…

This week, we speak with Erin McLeod, President & CEO of Senior Friendship Centers. In this episode, we discuss her philosophy working with the board of directors, leadership style, and that board succession planning doesn’t always go as planned. We also talk about her thoughts on transparent leadership, including staff in board meetings, and setti…

This week, we continue our conversation from episode 69, “You are the new board chair, now what?” In this episode, we discuss the keys to success as a board chair and top decisions to avoid. If you follow these keys, we believe you will have a successful tenure as board chair. Timestamps: 00:00 Board Chair Orientation continued 01:20 Keys to succes…

This week, we are speaking with Sarasota Orchestra’s board chair, Tom Koski. Together, we speak about how he got into philanthropy in Sarasota, fundraising for capital campaigns as a board chair, and the massive projects he has been involved with in Sarasota County. The secret sauce to a capital campaign? Tom say's it is communicating the need. You…

Congratulations! You are the new board chair. Now what? Many organizations have just welcomed a new board chair, or will be welcoming one in the upcoming months. In this episode, we discuss the roles and characteristics of a board chair. We also touch on the initial steps a new board chair should take to get their tenure off to a positive start. Ti…

This week, we are speaking with Jonathan Fleece, President and CEO of Empath Health. Empath Health is a $380m, 3000+ employee hospice, home health, and senior care oriented organization serving 60,000+ people from central to southwest Florida. Jonathan shares with us how he came to be the CEO of Empath Health, the needs of a CEO from their board me…

This week, we are discussing board ethics. How to remain ethical while on a board, typical examples of potentially unethical behavior, and a litmus test to determine whether or not you should take specific actions. “Are the actions I take going to break the public trust? Then you shouldn’t do it.” Timestamps: 00:00 - Board Ethics 01:20 - It starts …

This week, we speak with Mary Ruiz, former CEO of Centerstone of Florida (f/k/a Manatee Glens) and newly elected board chair of MCR Health, Inc. In this episode, we discuss how Mary's experience as a CEO helps her be a more effective board member, why the Executive Committee may be a relic of the past, and how to get the most out of fellow board me…

You do not need to create a new strategic plan every year. However, it would be of value to update your current strategic plan. We do this through a "strategy refresh". A short facilitated session in which we help you refresh your strategic plan with up-to-date information and knowledge. In an ever changing environment, your strategic direction sho…

As the year comes to an end, there are a few tasks nonprofit board members can complete to wrap the year up successfully. These short but powerful tasks can help you get a head start on the new year and be prepared for your board responsibilities in 2024. Timestamps: 00:00 What can you do as a board member before the end of the year? 01:20 #1 - Rea…

This week, we discuss aspects of nonprofit board membership prospective board members should consider before joining a board. Everyone on the board should be willing to give their time, talent, and treasure to their organization. Be sure to ask plenty of questions prior to joining a board to have a clear understanding of the level of commitment the…

This week, we are speaking with Board President of Project Light of Manatee, Cheryl Evans. Together, we discuss how Cheryl got involved in Project Light, stepping into the board president role for the first time, and how she is growing in the position. Cheryl candidly shares with us her successes and struggles. Including overcoming obstacles to rec…

A board retreat is a wonderful opportunity for board members to get to know each other, to plan for the upcoming year, or discuss an important topic in depth. However, these can only be achieved with a properly planned retreat. Today, we discuss the strategies we use to conduct a productive nonprofit board retreat. Timestamps: 00:00 - Our board ret…

In the spirit of the season, today we are giving thanks. From us at The Corley Company, we thank the nonprofit organization’s making our community a better place, the leadership and staff that carry out the work, the donors that help make projects happen and the volunteers who give so much of their time. Timestamps: (00:00) Thank You Listeners (01:…

Imagine giving 3-6 years of your volunteer time to an organization, only to roll off the board and never hear from the organization again. This is a very realistic scenario for many board members. In this week’s episode, we are discussing what happens when you roll off a nonprofit board and how organizations can keep past board members engaged. Tim…

This week, we are joined by the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Dawn Stanhope. When it comes to engaging your board, there aren't many people who do it like Dawn, and she actually has two boards. Listen in to hear Dawn’s strategies for keeping board members engaged, what she looks for when she is identifying new board members, and what…

In this week’s episode we talk about what nonprofit board members want. People join nonprofit boards for a multitude of reasons, but we believe they can be narrowed down to 4. They want to contribute, make a difference, grow skills, and build relationships. If your nonprofit board can provide these four things, we believe you will have an easier ti…

This week we are speaking with Atlas Insurance’s, Michael Howard. Michael has a wealth of knowledge in the nonprofit insurance space and generously shares with us. Michael explains the risks nonprofits need to be aware of that are not insurance related, the actual coverage a D&O insurance policy provides, when nonprofits and nonprofit board members…

This week, we are discussing the importance of regular strategic planning. However, you do not have to create a brand new strategic plan every time your previous plan comes to an end. It is possible to update the plan and extend several of the objectives. Along with updating the strategic plan, we discuss the benefits of strategic planning, includi…

This week, we are speaking with Rick Yocum, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Manatee County. Rick had a diverse background of experience before joining the Humane Society of Manatee County. We believe this has contributed greatly to his success. Rick provides us with great information on how to communicate with your board, keeping your b…

Today, we discuss the 4 primary roles of a nonprofit board of directors. These roles allow the nonprofit board to function as intended, support the organization, and fulfill the fiduciary duties. These 4 roles should be consistent across any nonprofit board, as all nonprofit organizations need support in these four categories. Timestamps: (01:00) 4…

I 501(c) You - The Podcast for Nonprofit Board Members is 1 year old! In the 52nd episode of I 501(c) You, Michael reflects on the guests who have joined us on I501(c) You, he discusses topics from the past year he is seeing in his consulting practice, and he speculates on what the next year holds. Timestamps: (00:00) Past guests (00:35) Happy birt…

This week, we speak with Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Executive Director, Adrienne Bookhamer. This is not Adrienne’s first time being an executive director. In fact, her first go-round as Executive Director did not start off well. She almost ran the organization into the ground. However, she learned from her mistakes, resurrected that organization…

This week, we are discussing the characteristics of an effective nonprofit board chair. The role of board chair can seem like an obvious one for those leaders from the for-profit industry looking to give back to their community. However, there are some differences between for-profit leadership and nonprofit board leadership that need to be consider…

This week, we are speaking with Dr. Patton McDowell, founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership. This is a wonderful conversation for anyone, regardless of their involvement in the nonprofit space, to learn how to be intentional about professional development. We discuss the importance of taking a personal retreat, strategic networking to create your pers…

A nonprofit board retreat: what is it, why should you have one, and how would you structure 6+ hours to ensure everyone finds value in the event? I have facilitated nearly 100 retreats over the years, and I believe properly approached, getting everyone in the same room for an entire day can be of great benefit to the organization. Structuring a ful…

Join us this week for an engaging conversation with William Kennedy, the Co-Founder and CEO of RiskBridge Advisors. William takes us on a journey into the realm of investment management, sharing his personal story and sharing the role of RiskBridge Advisors in supporting nonprofit organizations. Gain insight into the considerations the board must w…

This week, we are discussing the importance of the board chair/CEO relationship and why this relationship is so important to cultivate. Just like with any relationship, the board chair and CEO need to be intentional about growing their relationship, set expectations, and be clear on each other's role. Without clear expectations, the board chair mig…

This week we have the pleasure of speaking with Matt George, Executive Director turned nonprofit consultant and leadership coach. Matt is a strong proponent of collaboration, competition, and doing what is ultimately best for the community, even if it means merging organizations. Matt started his nonprofit career at 16-years old with a fundraiser t…

This week, we emphasize the importance of investing in professional development for nonprofit employees. While for-profit organizations readily allocate funds for training, nonprofits often hesitate due to concerns about employee turnover and funding constraints. However, we argue that focusing on the benefits of training, such as improved skills, …

Join us for a captivating conversation centered around the success of nonprofit boards and organizations! This week, we have the distinct pleasure of speaking with Lauren Deiorio, the President and Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County. We discuss the initiatives that are driving positive change for nonprofits in th…

Today, we are discussing the importance of avoiding mission creep. Mission creep can be a major disruptor for a sustainable organization. What can start as a sustainable, impactful program can end up being dissolved, or worse, it can bring the organization down with it. This is why we start all of our conversations with nonprofit boards with the mi…

Many of us are familiar with for-profit and non-profit organizations. However, this week, we have the pleasure of speaking with two individuals who have joined forces to revolutionize the non-profit sector. Meet Michael Oxman and Larry Clark, the visionaries behind No Margin, No Mission. Established in 2011, No Margin, No Mission aims to create fin…

On this 4th of July, join us as we embark on a reflective journey through the rich tapestry of philanthropy in the United States. In this episode, we delve into the history of philanthropy, shedding light on the remarkable individuals who played pivotal roles during its early stages. Additionally, we present compelling statistics from the latest ye…

Michael recently had the opportunity to speak to the Sumter County Nonprofit Coalition about "Getting the Board Members You Want." We believe this topic is so important, we recorded a podcast about it. This episode covers 5 actions you can take as a nonprofit CEO/ED or board member to recruit and attract the board members your organization wants. T…

This week, we are fortunate to delve into the world of community foundations with none other than Roxie Jerde, the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Roxie provides us with invaluable insights into the pivotal role that community foundations play in the nonprofit ecosystem. A community foundation serves as a driving f…

While planning for your next group of board members is crucial, it's your strategic preparation for officer positions that truly sets the stage. Leadership can make or break an organization. With this in mind, join us for a conversation about the importance of succession planning for your board's officer positions. Timestamps: 00:35 - Episode start…

This week, we have the pleasure of welcoming Hardy Smith, a renowned author, consultant, and speaker. Hardy has authored an exceptional book aimed at improving the effectiveness and engagement of boards. In our engaging conversation, Hardy delves into valuable insights on putting an end to the nonprofit board blame game, providing CEOs with essenti…

This week we are discussing the importance of having an annual nonprofit board retreat (or off-site). A board retreat offers a valuable opportunity for board members to forge stronger connections, chart a course for the future, evaluate the past year, and engage in in-depth discussions on challenging subjects. When it comes to fostering camaraderie…

Join us for an enlightening episode of I501(c)You as we explore the pivotal relationship between Amanda, the esteemed Board Chair, and Theresa, the accomplished CEO, who together helm the Community Foundation for Brevard. In this engaging discussion, we dive deep into the intricacies of a highly effective CEO/Board Chair partnership. We discuss the…