Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Board Member's Book: A 1-Hour Guide to Understanding and Fulfilling Your Role and Responsibilites

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If every board member in America read this book, nonprofits would enter a golden age of enlightenment. There are close to 1.5 million IRA-authorized nonprofits in the U.S. Yet an effective board remains stubbornly out of reach for many if not most. Buy this book. Make every executive director and board member read it. Problem solved. I first became aware of Kay Sprinkel Grace as a popular speaker at fundraising conferences. Then I learned how she has helped American public television expand its fundraising over the last few years. In a distinguished career, she has observed hundreds of boards do their best and worst. In this fast, inspiring, no-jargon little book she distills that vast experience down to 41 incisive micro-chapters, none longer than two pages. I devoured the book in just 45 minutes. Chapter 13, Qualities of an Effective Board, is alone worth the cover price. Ms. Grace's goal: happier, more productive board members; and the powerful nonprofits that result.

We provide a copy of this book to every new Board member and we use it in our new Board member orientation. Our governance Committee just referred to the section on Board members working with staff. These 100 pages are clearly written and presented in a way that does not overwhelm the reader. Everyone has the time to read this gem of a book, novice and veteran alike. Take it with you the next time you're on an airplane.

A short, but by no means superficial, review of what makes a great Board Member...and how great Board Members can build great institutions. Filled with practical advice--and a dose of inspiration as well--it's an engaging read, appropriate for both the novice and the seasoned hand. Highly recommended.

We used Kay's book as part of a recent retreat of our Board of Trustees and found that it had something for everyone -- an easy to use roadmap for new Board members and a "tune-up" for our most experienced Trustees. It's a quick read, but it covers the key responsibilities of non-profit board membership. Our senior staff members also found it useful, in helping to define their roles in partnership with our Board.

Norm Silverstein
President & CEO
WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
Rochester, NY

The book was a good general overview, but needed more substanitive details to be considered "ultimate". I had expected more. It should have dealt with some differences between types of organizations. It was too generic. A decent read for an unexperienced board member, but too general for an existing one.

If you serve on any type of board, this book would be great to read.Best price found on Amazon.com and well worth the cost.

Ms. Grace's clear and succinct guide is a must have for any non-profit library. New and seasoned board members alike will benefit from the information provided. New board members will understand their role to provide "time, talent, and treasure" to support their non-profit's mission and seasoned board members will be reinvigorated to continue their good work. It's a breeze to read and so helpful.

The book is very helpful in a quick read format. The only weakness that I would point out is that it fails to make reference to the distinction between a Board of Advisors and a Board of Directors. The differences can be significant particularly in the area of financial controls, personnel oversight and board member liability. That difference makes it hard to have the book be a "must read" for advisory board members. However, alot of otherwise good information is provided therein and perhaps if provided with a disclaimer pointing out the distinction it could still have use.

Short and quick, this book is either a one-hour read or a book to grasp when one needs a fast answer. Most chapters are two pages long and the key points are bulletized, so it is handy, to the point and very practical. That said, it is densely packed with information and clarity about the issues facing all board members of nonprofits. It is motivating and upbeat and most helpful to board members involved in governance for its clear outline of the duties and responsibilities of this committee in the final section "Recruiting and Retaining." This book is a MUST for board members!

The Ultimate Board Member's Book: A 1-Hour Guide to Understanding and Fulfilling Your Role and Responsibilites This book is a "Must have" for anyone who is serving as a board member - from a neighborhood organization on up.