Governance Q&A: Volunteering ethically

I have skills and expertise that I think nonprofits could use, and would like to help my community. However, I have many family and business commitments to juggle. What's the ethical approach for someone like me? So many of us...

Governance Q&A: Last minute event changes

If an event is cancelled or greatly scaled back at the last minute, due to circumstances beyond our control, what do we do about our vendors and sponsors? We’ve spent the money they gave us. Once businesses enter into a...

Governance Q&A: Dilemmas at the board member level

If I have a dilemma in my role as board member and want to make sure I do the right thing, who can I ask for advice and how do I decide who to ask? What a great question! You...

Governance Q&A: Accommodating employees with disabilities

An employee produced a note from a doctor and requested "disability accommodation" requiring me to reassign work between several employees. I know of someone with the same disability who thinks the work is doable, and wonder if this employee is...

Governance Q&A: Membership rights

From an ethics perspective, what rights does a member have? Membership concerns have been a very common topic recently in queries to me, web-based forums, and conversations with colleagues. If the issue were easy, there would be far fewer discussions....

Governance Q&A: Succession planning

Some of my board members went to a governance workshop and came back saying a succession plan was urgent, in case I got hit by a bus. I have a good administrator who acts for me during vacation, but frankly,...

Governance Q&A: Developing an ethics program

Our membership has requested that our organization develop an ethics program. Where do we start? Congratulations to your membership for recognizing the value of a good ethics program. Your members and community can greatly benefit from ensuring that the chosen...

Governance Q&A: Reimbursing volunteer expenses

The charity volunteering I do involves a lot of driving. The organization can afford to pay for gas, but the volunteer coordinator refuses to accept claims. Should they reimburse us? Or should we have a stipend from which to pay...

Governance Q&A: Are staff layoffs an ethical option?

Given the economic downturn, it looks as if our fundraising will fall short. My board wants me to be proactive and start letting staff go. Our services are important to the community, so we want to survive. Are staff layoffs...

Governance Q&A: Removing board members

Is it appropriate for the board of directors to get rid of the president without coming to the members first? We held an annual general meeting to dissolve that board, and as a result the bank will not recognize the...
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