Communities characterized by quality are not the result of good luck nor do they occur accidentally. Outstanding communities are created and maintained by a number of factors. Among the most important factors are dedicated not-for-profit board members who perform their duties with enthusiasm and competence.

Community residents usually recognize and appreciate their quality of life. Many of them realize that an important component of the quality is the number of persons who serve on the many volunteer boards within their community.

Perhaps the perspective of many citizens in this particular three-county area would best be described by the idea that “if better is possible … good is not enough”. It is with this notion that a group of six co-authors, with the assistance of an advisory committee, made the commitment to prepare this resource for not-for-profit boards and individual board members.

The people who have worked on this effort are hopeful that boards and board members will consider this book to be useful and a source of motivation. With these goals in mind the co-authors will be working with officials at Edison Community College to establish a center for preparing board members along with providing appropriate seminars for experienced board members who desired to improve their abilities.

The not-for-profit board and the individual board members are vitally important to the success of the organizations they lead. Good organizations have good leaders. Outstanding organizations have outstanding leaders. As board members serve they recognize the satisfaction received from that service. Frequently this experience results in even more service and more satisfaction. We anticipate this book will provide readers with many ideas to help them do a good, or, better yet, an outstanding job of serving.

In chapters 9, 12, and 13 we discuss rules and regulations that come from the IRS and the State Offices of the Attorney General. These matters change, and they often vary from state to state. You may want to check with your local attorney or accountant.

The co-authors express appreciation to the Paul G. Duke Foundation for the idea of this project, encouragement, and funding which resulted in this book. Gratitude is also cited for the expertise and technical assistance provided by the staff of the Academy for Leadership and Governance.

Richard N. Adams, Ph.D.

January 1, 2003