Executive Director Relationships
Build a healthy, accountable partnership between the board and your ED.
For: Nonprofit board members
What you’ll learn
- Clarify board and executive director roles
- Support and supervise the ED at the same time
- Run a fair annual ED evaluation
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 board hires ONE employee
5 min
- 2
Governance vs. management: stay in your lane
5 min
- 3
Support AND supervise — at the same time
5 min
- 4
The chair–ED relationship: the central hinge
4 min
- 5
Setting ED goals and compensation
5 min
- 6
The annual ED evaluation
5 min
- 7
Supporting the ED through hard times
4 min
- 8
Succession: planning for the ED’s exit
4 min
Sources & further reading
- BoardSource — The Board–Staff Partnership & Board Chair–Chief Executive Partnership
- National Council of Nonprofits — Board Roles and Responsibilities
- National Council of Nonprofits — Executive Compensation
- Internal Revenue Service — Rebuttable Presumption — Intermediate Sanctions
- CompassPoint — Daring to Lead — National Study of Nonprofit Executive Leadership
- National Council of Nonprofits — Succession Planning for Nonprofits / Managing Leadership Transitions
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.