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The Roles and Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards of Directors within the Governance Process

Approx. 12 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course focuses on the effective management of nonprofit organizations and governmental entities. Topics include financial management, fundraising, governance, and strategic planning.

Key Learning Points

Learn how to effectively manage nonprofit organizations and governmental entities
Understand financial management, fundraising, governance, and strategic planning
Gain practical skills and knowledge to apply in your career

Learning Outcomes

Develop an understanding of nonprofit and governmental management principles
Learn practical skills for financial management and fundraising
Develop a strategic plan for a nonprofit organization or governmental entity

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of nonprofit or governmental organizations
Fluency in English

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Social Sector Leadership
Nonprofit Financial Stewardship Webinar Series

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Description

This course provides a more in-depth look at the roles and responsibilities of boards of directors in the governance of nonprofit organizations. While the course has been developed with North American culture in mind, we do appreciate that in other parts of the world, the nature of the roles and responsibilities of boards of directors may not be the same. Nevertheless,it is our hope that much of the course content will still be of value to those in other parts of the world.

To learn more about this course, please watch the overview video by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser: https://goo.gl/SXZEZS. Keywords: Nonprofit; Nonprofit Sector; Voluntary Sector; Nonprofit Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Volunteer Organizations, Leadership, Management, Governance, Board, Board of Directors, Performance, Effectiveness Course 2 Overview: Week 1: Some of the questions to be explored this week are: What is the board's role in planning for the organization's future and why is it important for nonprofit organizations to do it? What is strategic planning and what can boards do to carry this out effectively? Week 2: This week's questions: What is the board's role in assessing the performance of the organization? Why is performance assessment important? Why do many boards have difficulty meeting their performance assessment responsibilities? Week 3: This week's questions: What are the elements of the fundraising/resource development process? What is the board's role in ensuring the organization has adequate funding? What information should be in a resource development plan? Week 4: At this stage, you are asked to review the course content, submit a written assignment (known lightheartedly as a BEAR (Board Effectiveness Readiness Assessment), and take two multiple choice Readiness Assurance Tests (known similarly as RATs). One RAT will assess knowledge and reading comprehension and the other will test application of knowledge within a practical case. Week 5: We will encourage you to discuss the RATs in the discussion forums and take them again should you wish to change any of your answers based on the information exchanged.

Outline

The Board's Role in Planning
Welcome video introducing this series of course
Course 2 Overview Video
Week 1 Overview
Interview with Dr. Laura Schweitzer: Leadership and Governance of Nonprofit Organizations from a Practitioner Perspective
Course 2 Teaching and Learning Overview
Required and Recommended Texts
Week 1 Key Questions and Competencies
Week 1 Readings and Resources
Discuss Case Study
Course Project Overview
Option 1: Working With a Real Board
Option 2: Working With a Fictitious Board
Week 1

The Board's Role in Performance Assessment
Week 2 Overview
Week 2 Key Questions and Competencies
Week 2 Readings and Resources
Discuss Case Study
Course Project Overview
Option 1: Working With a Real Board
Option 2: Working With a Fictitious Board
Week 2

The Board's Role in Fundraising and Resource Development
Week 3 Overview
Interview with Putnam Barber on Charitable Solicitations in the United States
Week 3 Key Questions and Competencies
Week 3 Readings and Resources
Discuss Case Study
Course Project Overview
Option 1: Working With a Real Board
Option 2: Working With a Fictitious Board
Week 3

Concept Testing and Application
Readiness Assurance Test (RAT)
RAT Application Exercise

Assessment of Learning: BEAR Peer Review and RAT Discussion Forums
RAT Peer Discussions and Polling
RAT Application Exercise Peer Discussions and Polling
RAT and RAT Application Exercise Discussion and Polling Instructions
RAT Post Peer Learning Forum
RAT Application Exercise Post Peer Learning Forum

Summary of User Reviews

This course on nonprofit governance has received positive reviews from users. Many users appreciated the practical advice and real-world examples provided throughout the course.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course provides practical advice and real-world examples.

Pros from User Reviews

The course is well-structured and easy to follow.
The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging.
The course provides practical tips for improving nonprofit governance.
The course is relevant for both nonprofit professionals and volunteers.
The course is free to audit.

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course material to be too basic.
The course could benefit from more interactive elements.
The course does not offer a certificate for auditing students.
Some users reported technical difficulties with the platform.
The course may not be applicable to all nonprofit organizations.

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