I talk lots about the difference between the board and its individual board members. Check out my blog archives. Check my NPQ columns. Download, study, use, and enforce the board job description and board member performance expectations on this website.
I want board members to behave as leaders. I expect board members to take the initiative and step up to the plate. I expect board members to inconvenience themselves on behalf of the organization. All that is part of leadership.
And part of board member leadership – for every single board member – is active participation in the philanthropic/fund development operation of the organization. Every single board member must give a personal financial contribution every single year, to the best of personal ability. Every single board member must help identify the predisposed and nurture relationships.
Yes, the board (the group, the collective) is responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient money, that the organization is financially sustainable. That’s part of corporate governance. And every single individual board member – as part of the governance group, the board – should demonstrate leadership in fund development.
