Doing Good Better

  

                The third edition of this bestselling book gives practical and current advice to nonprofit board members who are stiffly new or wearily veteran. Author Edgar Stoesz, retired board chair of Habitat for Humanity International, writes crisply from his wise and seasoned nonprofit board experience.

  

                This trusted handbook for nonprofit board service is newly revised and includes new case studies and even more tips and ideas from the trenches of nonprofit board work. Doing Good Better is approachable wisdom. Edgar Stoesz has made Doing Good Better a guidebook for both board members of nonprofits, whether new to the task, or highly experienced. 

                First, Stoesz identifies two failings common to many boards of nonprofit organizations that are often overlooked:

 

                1.) A board’s governance role is very different from the role of management. "Making this distinction requires a re-orientation for most board member, because in their day jobs, they are managers or employees."

 

                2.) Boards often fail at two matters: a.) preparation of their members, and b.) regular evaluations of their own effectiveness and focus.

In short, pointedly-written chapters, Stoesz covers:

 

                   Helping Directors Understand Their Governance Role

 

                   A Plan to Fulfill the Purpose

 

                   Reporting Back to the Members

 

                   Planning Effective Meetings

 

                   Great Boards Have a Good Fight (occasionally)

 

                   Working Your Way Through a Crisis

 

                   Great Boards Celebrate

 

                   Leaving Right

 

 

 

                Stoesz deftly interweaves background philosophy, vision, and razor-sharp specific ideas.

 

                "Discussion/Action Questions" conclude many of the chapters.

 

                In addition, Stoesz offers a "Board Evaluation Form," a "Director's Self-Evaluation Form," and an Outline for the "Executive Director Annual Review."