My Post: (I work as a Supervisor at non-profit case management agency called Service Coordination INC/ How do I respond to these questions base off my post. Thanks for your post. Do you currently work at a nonprofit? What have you learned about effective governance within nonprofits from your professional experience? What the main factors that positively and negatively affect governance? My POST: Reflecting on my personal experience with nonprofit organizations and their board governance, it can be quite overwhelming to understand each member's duties. There is a common perception that nonprofits do not generate profit and that working within the field offers no financial gain. Furthermore, there is a belief that if funds are generated, their distribution often falls into mismanagement due to the lack of individual ownership, unlike for-profit organizations. This perception is usually attributed to governance issues.

The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance (2010) defines governance as the board's legal authority to exercise power and authority over an organization on behalf of its community (p. 15). ProQuest (2013) further explains governance as the direct influence of networks where no dominant actor exists. However, the governance duties can be confusing because individual board members of nonprofits do not control the organization (Handbook of Nonprofit Governance, 2010). This lack of clear control can create confusion.

It is evident that the complexity of governance in nonprofit organizations contributes to these perceptions and challenges.

When I started my journey at a newly formed nonprofit organization, I immediately noticed a significant weakness in its governance structure. The issue was not just a lack of clarity regarding roles and responsibilities, but a fundamental misunderstanding of the distinct roles of board members, nonprofit organizers, executive directors, managers, non-managerial workers, and volunteers. This lack of understanding often plagues many nonprofit organizations in their early stages, leading to confusion and inefficiency.

To transform this weakness into a strength, I believe it is essential to implement a governance model that aligns with the organization's specific needs. Additionally, it is crucial to carefully select board members and ensure that all parties involved are familiar with the organization's articles of incorporation and bylaws. This knowledge will help them understand how their roles contribute to the organization's overall mission.

References:

Conceptualizing and Researching Governance in Public and Non-Profit Organizations, Emerald Publishing Limited, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/waldenu/detail.action?docID=1126621

The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance, BoardSource Publishing, 2010.