INTRODUCTION 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 2
Icons Used in This Book 3
Beyond the Book 3
Where to Go from Here 4

PART 1: INTRODUCING NONPROFIT BOARDS 7
CHAPTER 1: Defining Nonprofit Governance 9
CHAPTER 2: Understanding Who's in Charge 25

PART 2: ORGANIZING AND ENERGIZING PEOPLE 35
CHAPTER 3: Breaking Down Your Legal Duties 37
CHAPTER 4: Considering Common Board Responsibilities 47
CHAPTER 5: Designing Effective Board Leadership 59
CHAPTER 6: Recruiting and Onboarding Board Directors 73
CHAPTER 7: Energizing and Engaging Your Board 91

PART 3: RUNNING YOUR BOARD 105
CHAPTER 8: Living with Your Bylaws 107
CHAPTER 9: Creating Your Board's Annual Plan 119
CHAPTER 10: Running a Great Board Meeting 129
CHAPTER 11: Building and Managing Effective Committees 147

PART 4: FULFILLING YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 165
CHAPTER 12: Strategic Planning: Finding Your North Star 167
CHAPTER 13: Fundraising for Your Mission 187
CHAPTER 14: Advocacy and Lobbying 201
CHAPTER 15: Governing Organizational Finances 213
CHAPTER 16: Protecting Your Mission with Good Policies and Legal Practices 233
CHAPTER 17: Managing Risk and Dealing with Crisis 253
CHAPTER 18: Measuring Board Performance 275

PART 5: PARTNERING WITH STAFF 287
CHAPTER 19: Navigating the Board-Executive Partnership 289
CHAPTER 20: Dealing with Trouble at the Top and Transition 307
CHAPTER 21: Working with Staff 337

PART 6: THE PART OF TENS 345
CHAPTER 22: Ten Myths of Nonprofits and Their Boards 347
CHAPTER 23: Ten Dysfunctions of a Nonprofit Board 353

INDEX 359