Ten Things to Include in Your Nonprofit Board Manual
While an executive director and other staff members handle the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit corporation, a board of directors is the organization’s governing body. For two reasons a thorough, current, and easy-to-use board manual is critical to a properly operating board of directors. First, the composition of the board of directors changes over time and a board manual serves as an important source of orientation and education for new board members. Furthermore, existing board members need a continually updated resource and reference manual, which they can rely on as they consider different issues and make decisions throughout their tenure.
If you have questions about the content of your nonprofit organization’s board manual or other documents necessary to operate your nonprofit effectively, contact the Church Law Center of California at (949) 892-1221 today.
Board of Directors Information
The Board of Directors information section should include a complete listing of members, their contact information and when their terms end. We recommend including a brief description of the board members’ responsibilities here as well. Finally, this section should outline any Board committees, the Board members who currently serve on those committees, and the responsibilities of those committees.
History of the Nonprofit Organization
The history section should contain an information sheet or brief written history of the organization’s founding. Additional information in this section may include the Articles of Incorporation and the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter.
Bylaws
The board needs to be familiar with the organization’s bylaws, as their actions are governed by its terms. The current organizational bylaws should be maintained in the board manual.
Organizational Framework
The mission and vision statements for the nonprofit organization should be in this section of the board manual. Other documents may include the organization’s current strategic plan.
Instruction on Accessing Past Minutes
Because the composition of the board changes regularly, there should be instructions in the board manual on where and how the directors can access the minutes from prior board meetings. Included with the board minutes should be a continuously updated document that includes all decisions made by the board that are not completed within one year.
Finance
The finance section of the board manual should contain the most recent annual report and audit report, if any. This section also should contain the current annual budget, any resolutions or policies related to banking or investments, and instructions on how and where to access the organization’s financial statements.
Board Policies
This section should contain organizational policies that pertain directly to board members, such as policies involving conflicts of interest, insurance policy coverage, legal liability, travel and meeting expense reimbursement, and more.
Staff
The staff section of the board manual should contain a complete listing of current organization staff members and their positions, as well as an organizational chart showing all positions.
Resource Development
This section should contain a list of current grants, amounts, and duration. Other materials in this section may include sample grant proposals, sponsorship policies, and information about annual fundraisers.
General Information
The final section of the board manual should contain a calendar of board meetings for the year and a staff calendar with days off and important events. It also may include a list of programs, current brochures, and information about the organization’s website and social media pages.
Contact Us Today for Legal Assistance
The Church Law Center of California focuses its practice on legal matters that affect private foundations and other nonprofit organizations in California. This unique focus allows us to concentrate on keeping abreast of the ever-changing laws and policies as they develop over time. We are here to represent the interests of your nonprofit organization throughout every stage of your legal matter. Call us at (949) 892-1221, email us at info@churchlawcenter.com, or fill out our contact form online and schedule a consultation about your nonprofit organization today.