Board service is one of the most meaningful ways to support a nonprofit—but it comes with responsibilities that many volunteers may not fully understand. On April 14, TechSoup Connect Canada hosted a deep dive into the Responsibilities of Individual Board Members, led by experienced nonprofit trainer Becky Schueller.
Becky brought three decades of experience as a trainer, coach, and executive director to the session, offering practical and accessible guidance for both new and seasoned board members. Whether you’re in a grassroots group or a national charity, here are ten key takeaways from the session to help you serve more confidently and effectively.
📺 Watch the video recording
📑 Download the slides
🧰 Board resources packet
1. Know Your Legal Duties: Care, Loyalty, and Obedience
Board members in both Canada and the U.S. share three fundamental legal responsibilities:
- Duty of Care: Show up, be prepared, and make informed decisions.
- Duty of Loyalty: Put the organization’s best interest first and disclose any potential conflicts.
- Duty of Obedience: Ensure the organization follows its mission and complies with legal requirements.
2. You Can’t Delegate Responsibility
Each board member is individually responsible for understanding the issues at hand. Even if you’re not a financial expert, you can’t just “go with the flow.” Review your meeting materials, ask questions, and ensure you’re making independent, informed decisions.
3. Read Your Financial Statements (Yes, Really)
The board approves the budget and monitors finances. That means understanding income and expenses, ensuring taxes are paid, and checking in on your organization’s overall financial health—not just rubber-stamping reports.
4. Evaluate Your Executive Director Every Year
No matter how busy or uncertain the times, annual ED evaluations are a must. This is one of your few direct supervisory duties, and skipping it is a big risk for the organization—and your board.
5. Respect Organizational Boundaries
Board members support and guide the executive director—not supervise staff or direct daily operations. Clarity on roles reduces confusion and builds trust.
6. Directors & Officers Insurance Doesn’t Cover Neglect
If you skip meetings or ignore reports, your board may not be covered in the event of a legal issue. Liability insurance can protect against honest mistakes—but not inattention.
7. Use a Board Member Job Description
Every board member should know what’s expected in terms of time, conduct, and contribution. Becky shared a sample job description that includes mission alignment, confidentiality, and a 5–7 hour monthly commitment. A template is available—download the resource packet!
8. Daily, Monthly, Annual Board Habits Matter
Good governance isn’t just a once-a-year thing. Becky outlined key routines:
- Daily: Share and support your org on social media.
- Monthly: Prepare for meetings, review strategic and financial dashboards, and support your ED.
- Annually: Evaluate the ED, approve the budget, review your strategic direction, and file government forms.
9. Be a Role Model—Inside and Outside the Boardroom
Board members are ambassadors. Your behavior, both at meetings and in the community, reflects on your organization. Becky emphasized the importance of positive communication, inclusive practices, and being proactive about conflict of interest disclosures.
10. Invest in Learning—for You and Your Board
Whether it’s a resource packet (like the one Becky shared), a short course, or a free blog post, continuous learning is part of good governance. Bonus tip: check out Canadian governance expert Grant MacDonald or Law for Nonprofits, and U.S.-based resources like Propel Nonprofits, Blue Avocado, and BoardSource.
Keep in Touch with Becky Schueller
Want to dive deeper into board development, strategic planning, or nonprofit operations? Becky Schueller offers workshops, coaching, and consulting tailored to your organization’s needs. She welcomes questions from session participants and is happy to share templates or guidance on request.
Becky Schueller | She/Her | Wiin|Ella
Rebecca Schueller Training & Consulting
Serving Nonprofits, Tribes, and Counties
📧 Email: Becky@bemidjiconsulting.com
🌐 Website: www.bemidjiconsulting.com
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebecca-becky-schueller
🌤️ Bluesky: beckytrains.bsky.social
Becky is an experienced trainer, consultant, and coach with over 30 years in the nonprofit sector, serving national, urban, and rural nonprofits, native nations, schools, and counties. Her leadership background spans executive, board, and volunteer roles in both Chicago and Minnesota.
Bonus Offer for TechSoup Attendees
Becky Schueller is offering a special bonus offer to those who attended on April 14:
🎁 Access to $10/participant registrations for any of the three April & May sessions of her workshop, Strategic Thinking & Direction to Optimize Purpose & Impact.
To register:
- Go to www.bemidjiconsulting.com
- Click the “Strategic Thinking & Direction” training on the homepage
- Complete the registration form
- On the payment screen, choose “check payments” and enter the code “TechSoup” in the note field
- Becky will send you an invoice
FAQs:
- Yes, you can register more than one participant from your organization, as long as one person attended the April 14 session.
- Yes, participants can choose different workshop dates—no need to attend on the same day.
- Prefer a PayPal invoice? Just include that request with your “TechSoup” note.
- Still have questions? Contact Becky@bemidjiconsulting.com
Thanks again to Becky and to all of you who make your communities stronger by serving on nonprofit boards. Your time, effort, and curiosity make a difference.