Supporting Accountability and Compliance While Nurturing Creativity: A Nonprofit Board Governance Challenge

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JNEL-2019-V9-I2-8763

Keywords:

ambidextrous structure, nonprofit accountability, innovation, nonprofit board structure

Abstract

This paper presents a model for nonprofit board structure that supports the responsibilities of accountability and creativity that challenge board member governance. Undo focus on required accountability can encourage the development of risk-adverse boards that fail to respond to the innovation needed to solve mission-centric social problems and that fail to keep pace with an ever-changing fiscal environment. Thus, this paper identifies components of a board structure model that enhances nonprofit board functionality in the current environment. This proposal includes scholarly support for the model, and suggestions and a call for further discussion aimed at the use and adaptation of the model in practice and in the classroom.

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Author Biography

Melinda Weisberg, Marist College

Melinda Weisberg has a long and distinguished career in nonprofit management and education. She is currently a tenure track assistant professor in the School of Management at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She teaches undergraduate courses in Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Introduction to Business, as well as a course in Change Management in the MBA Program. She began her teaching career after earning a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland University College.

Prior to joining Marist, she held leadership positions in the nonprofit sector, including serving as a Leadership Trainer for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and as Executive Director for the Interfaith HIV/AIDS Ministry of Danbury CT. From 2006 to 2012 she was Director of Organizational Development and Public Policy, Astor Services for Children & Families, Hudson Valley and Bronx, NY. In this capacity, she oversaw Human Resources for 700+ employees and led development of the long-term strategic plan for this $50 million agency that provides behavioral health and education services to over 6,000 children and their families.

Most recently, as founder of a New York State certified woman-owned business CG Consulting for the Common Good, she developed a proprietary curriculum on volunteer management that’s been used across the state.

 Throughout her career, Dr. Weisberg has been active in community service. She is currently a New York State delegate to Vision 2020, a national coalition of organizations and individuals united in the commitment to achieve women’s economic and social equality. It was founded and is administered by the Institute for Women's Health and Leadership at Drexel University College of Medicine.

In addition to teaching management courses at Marist, Dr. Weisberg is an instructor for board governance in the George Washington University School of Business on-line/residency program in Sports Philanthropy. Students in this program work for professional sports teams, leagues, athlete foundations and sport-related companies in programs that emphasize corporate social responsibility.

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Published

2019-03-14

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2019)

Section

Teaching Note

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

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