Boards
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along
Public libraries are among the few institutions that have not one, but two different organizations to help support them: Friends of Libraries and library foundations. It would seem that these two organizations would work together in harmony, but all too often that’s not the case. Friends groups typically serve libraries with volunteer activities, programming, membership,…
Read More9 Friends Group Best Practices
Library Friends groups have been around for over 100 years. There are great Friends groups that provide terrific support for their libraries – from volunteers who help with library events to funding for programs and activities to advocating for public support. But there are also Friends groups who are struggling to find their purpose and…
Read MoreBoard Roles and Responsibilities
Library’s operate under many structures and with many boards, including governing library boards, Friends and foundation boards, advisory library boards, and municipal boards or councils. In order to maximize your library’s performance, it is essential that all of your boards have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and limitations, too. For most libraries, the…
Read MoreSecrets to Board Recruitment
What’s the key to being able to recruit the best possible Board of Directors? More than likely, it comes down to two factors: 1) an excellent nominating committee, and 2) a new Board member orientation process. The nominating committee should be considered the most important committee of any nonprofit organization. This is the committee on…
Read MoreLimit Your Board Not Your Org
Determining Board term limits for your fundraising organization can be tough, and you may find yourself asking questions to which you do not have the answer. How long should term limits be for your Board? Are you forcing good Board members out of your organization? What’s the benefit of Board turnover? These questions certainly are…
Read More10 Foundation Best Practices
1.) Collaborate With Your Friends Friends groups and Foundations are looking more and more at ways they can collaborate or merge to increase support of the Library and present a more easily understood structure to the community. When members of the general public are confused by more than one group that supports the Library, they…
Read MoreCreating a Fundraising Board
Have you ever noticed an organization in your community that seems to have no difficulty raising private funds? It seems that there are certain organizations in each of our communities widely known as being among the strongest, best-funded organizations around, but how did they get to be that way? Very likely, the one factor that…
Read MoreKeys to Managing Your Board(s)
Depending on your view, most public libraries are blessed or cursed with multiple boards. These may include the library, Friends, and foundation boards, and a governing body that provides funding. Managing these boards can be critical to the success of the library. While every situation is unique, there are key principles that help effectively manage…
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