The president is the primary governance leader. Their primary role is to lead the board of directors, oversee strategic planning, and ensure the nonprofit fulfills its mission while remaining fully compliant with all IRS and state regulations.
1. Board Leadership and Governance Preside over meetings: Run board meetings, prepare agendas, and guide discussions to ensure the board operates efficiently.Uphold fiduciary duties: Ensure the board follows the three legal standards: Duty of Care (making informed, diligent decisions), Duty of Loyalty (acting solely in the organization’s best interest), and Duty of Obedience (staying true to the nonprofit's mission and bylaws).Committee oversight: Appoint committee chairs and lead the annual performance evaluations for board members and the Executive Director.2. Strategic PlanningDrive the mission: Collaborate with fellow board members and executives to develop short- and long-term strategic goals.Monitor progress: Track the organization’s advancement toward its strategic milestones and adjust plans as community needs change.3. Executive OversightManage the executive director: The president acts as the primary liaison between the board and the salaried Executive Director (ED) or CEO. They are responsible for hiring, firing, and conducting the annual performance review of the ED.Board-staff relations: Protect the Executive Director from individual board members overstepping into daily management tasks.President vs. Executive Director (ED)It is common for organizations to have both a president and an ED. To keep the nonprofit running smoothly, a clear boundary must be drawn:The President handles governance, focusing on board affairs, oversight, and big-picture strategy.The Executive Director handles management, running day-to-day operations, hiring staff, and executing the strategic plan.
1. Board Leadership and Governance Preside over meetings: Run board meetings, prepare agendas, and guide discussions to ensure the board operates efficiently.Uphold fiduciary duties: Ensure the board follows the three legal standards: Duty of Care (making informed, diligent decisions), Duty of Loyalty (acting solely in the organization’s best interest), and Duty of Obedience (staying true to the nonprofit's mission and bylaws).Committee oversight: Appoint committee chairs and lead the annual performance evaluations for board members and the Executive Director.2. Strategic PlanningDrive the mission: Collaborate with fellow board members and executives to develop short- and long-term strategic goals.Monitor progress: Track the organization’s advancement toward its strategic milestones and adjust plans as community needs change.3. Executive OversightManage the executive director: The president acts as the primary liaison between the board and the salaried Executive Director (ED) or CEO. They are responsible for hiring, firing, and conducting the annual performance review of the ED.Board-staff relations: Protect the Executive Director from individual board members overstepping into daily management tasks.President vs. Executive Director (ED)It is common for organizations to have both a president and an ED. To keep the nonprofit running smoothly, a clear boundary must be drawn:The President handles governance, focusing on board affairs, oversight, and big-picture strategy.The Executive Director handles management, running day-to-day operations, hiring staff, and executing the strategic plan.