It’s hard to understate the importance of the role of the board chair in a nonprofit organization. Of course there are as many variations of the role as there are nonprofits, but here are a few of the most important functions of the board chair. You can find a more comprehensive overview on the BoardSource website, but at Support Center, we might distill the role to a few key functions.
Partnering with the Chief Executive — The board chair leads the board and serves as an essential partner with the chief executive. This takes a number of different forms, though. Some board chairs meet one-on-one weekly with the chief executive and serve as a sounding board on behalf of the full board. And when there are challenges in the working relationship between a chief executive and the board, the board chair frequently is called upon for informal discussions with the chief executive to address challenges or identify opportunities to improve the working relationship.
Setting the Agenda — Board chairs play a critical role in setting board meeting agendas as well as the agenda for developing the board. Do you want to expand the board? Change its structure or function? The board chair plays a critical role here.
Resolving Conflict and Ensuring the Board is Working Together — This is a key role for the board chair. How do you make decisions when you’re not all in agreement. How do you handle and resolve conflict? Often, this requires a deep understanding of the work of the organization and the structure and mission. And if you’re a board chair who doesn’t enjoy this part of the work, then your job is to have a Vice Chair or Governance Chair who can help.
Leading by Example — Often the board chair is the most active and engaged board member and leads by example. But the most successful board chairs ensure that everyone is active and engaged. They encourage others and delegate to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute meaningfully, but they also lead by example attending events, speaking with community members and representing the organization with donors and funders.
