Board Members: Governing Roles and Responsibilities

by Astor W. Kirk

Overview

Board Members focuses on the governing function associated with a subcategory of non-profit organizations that share five defining characteristics:

·Public-serving missions
·Nongovernmental ownership and control
·Multiplicity of relationships with governmental agencies and programs
·Noncommercial operations
·Incorporation, i.e. corporate entity status

In the United States, there are over 500,000 non-profit entities with these five characteristics. This work describes them as "nongovernmental public-serving (NPS) organizations." In NPS organizations, ultimate authority over the governing function is vested in a board of directors. Each of the following seven sets of governing roles and responsibilities of members of the board of directors are explained in separate chapters:

·Trusteeship
·Managing the managers
·Facilitating organizational learning
·Performing catalytic behaviors
·Equipping organizations for work
·Establishing and maintaining inter-organizational links
·Evaluating organizational performance

Dr. Kirk argues that because the well-being of millions of people throughout the U.S. is directly affected by what NPS organizations do or fail to do, their boards must govern these organizations effectively and responsibly. Dr. Kirk provides practical formulas for strategic governance, performance indicators and assessment, and a thorough analysis of these organizations' history and current state.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761836698
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	01/26/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.17(w) x 9.09(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

W. Astor Kirk is a former college professor, church organization manager, and senior federal executive. Upon leaving government service, he established the OMS Company, which specializes in executive-management and strategic-governance consulting work. His other publications include Desegregation of the Methodist Church Polity and Nonprofit Organization Governance.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Acknowledgements
Part 2 Preface
Chapter 3 Introduction
Chapter 4 Trusteeship
Chapter 5 Managing the Managers
Chapter 6 Facilitating Organizational Leadership
Chapter 7 Performing Catalytic Role
Chapter 8 Equipping the Organization for Work
Chapter 9 Establishing & Maintaining Linkages
Chapter 10 Evaluating Organizational Performance
Chapter 11 Coda
Part 12 Appendices
Part 13 Glossary
Part 14 References
Part 15 Index
Part 16 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

As a University President, former trustee of a private university, and a former board chair of a very active community development corporation. I am very familiar with the literature on non-profits. However, Dr. Kirk takes the topic to another level as he addresses the many differences among "not for profit" boards. His focus on nongovernmental public-serving (NPS) organizations is really enlightening.

James E. Lyons

Board Members provides wise guidance and theory-linked knowledge on the role of boards of directors of non-governmental public-serving organizations. W. Astor Kirk writes from a deep familiarity with both the nonprofit and governmental sectors.

Jon Van Til