Board Relations for Nonprofit Leaders
Build a strong, trusting partnership between your staff and your board.
For: Executive directors and nonprofit managers
What you’ll learn
- Build trust between staff and your board
- Hold the line between governance and management without conflict
- Report to the board clearly and consistently with a tight packet
- Manage up — including a micromanaging or difficult board member
- Navigate disagreements and build genuine board engagement
Screen your volunteers for $5
VolunteerBadge runs FCRA-compliant background checks for just $5 — with identity verification built in. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Create a free account →Course outline
- 1
The partnership at the top
5 min
- 2
The governance / management line
6 min
- 3
Building trust with your board
5 min
- 4
Reporting up: the board packet
6 min
- 5
Managing up & the difficult board member
6 min
- 6
Handling conflict & dysfunction
5 min
- 7
Building board engagement
5 min
Sources & further reading
- BoardSource — The Board-Staff Partnership
- National Council of Nonprofits — Board Roles and Responsibilities
- National Council of Nonprofits — Insights into Great Relationships: Board Chairs and Executive Directors
- Stanford Social Innovation Review — Spotting and Fixing Dysfunctional Nonprofit Boards
- BoardSource — A Nonprofit CEO’s Nightmare: The Micro-Managing Board
This course is educational and provides general information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act and volunteer-screening best practices. It is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time — consult a qualified attorney about your organization’s specific obligations.