The Board Member's Guide is one of those "So now I find out how to do this...." books that you wish you'd found years ago.  It is a combination of practical tips and checklists, thoughtful guidance and provocative questions-to-self.  It provides savvy and encouragement to persevere with the tough issues that community organizations typically encounter.  The sections on funds and budgets, IRS issues, incorporation and record-keeping are especially useful, not often found in a guidebook like this.  It will make an excellent "welcome aboard" gift to a new board president or board member, and a good item to circulate FYI for current staff and board.

James M. Heffernan, Ph.D.
Executive Director
New York Campus Compact

The Board Member’s Guide is an excellent primer on board development.  The book should be especially helpful for community-based not-for-profits who want and need capable board members.  The material was easily understood and can serve as a step-by-step guide for this vital aspect of any organization’s growth. 

I have been the founder of two long-term Boards and have served on numerous others over the past two decades.  Some Boards were very experienced financially and organizationally, while others tended to be naïve.  I believe that you have included points that could be effective with both ends of the spectrum.  As the incoming President of a sophisticated volunteer group, I have already used ideas from the book in revamping our membership application and in planning sessions with the organization’s special events fund-raising committee.

The Board Member’s Guide includes good ideas for developing agendas, dividing tasks between board and staff, and board member recruitment.  The timeline on filing essential governmental documentation was especially helpful.  Various organizations should find the surveys and questionnaires valuable.

The chapter on "The Board President as Leader" was disappointing in its brevity.  Leadership is crucial to all organizations and I was especially interested in learning more about being an effective visionary.  Perhaps this key topic is or will be the central focus of one of your other publications. [This key topic is the focus of one of our other resources, The President's Book.]

Congratulations on tackling a vital issue and making it accessible to board members nationwide.

Joan Boyett

Former Vice President for Education

The Music Center

Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County