A board of trustees is a group of individuals appointed or elected to oversee a non-profit organization or another type of trust. The boards of trustees share the overall philosophy of the charity or non-profit, its visions and purpose for existence. A board of trustees overseas the day to day operations of a non-profit and typically each member serves a term of one to three years. At the end of a term, the organizations’ bylaws determine how re-election or reappointment happens or if a member can serve consecutive terms.

Although the bylaws of any non-profit detail the responsibilities of the board of trustees, in most case they take care of any assets under the control of the charity. Property management, the handling of funds and maintaining the integrity of the organization in conjunction with its purpose and mission all come under the responsibilities of a board of trustees. Work with a board of trustees to:

1. Oversee the operations of a non-profit organization through a board of trustees.

2. Appoint directors and assistants to control the day to management of the organizations.

3. Maintain the integrity of the organizations according to its mission statement and purpose.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with non-profit experts for help setting up a board of trustees

Attorneys, financial planners and charitable giving specialist all have good board of trustees information when it comes to setting up a board of trustees for your charity or non-profit. Getting help from experts in the field of non-profit work makes the task of putting together the right group of people less daunting.

I recommend: Check out Attorneypages.com to find attorneys specializing in non-profit formation. Simply click on either "Estate Planning" or "Tax" for the practice area and then enter your ZIP code. Also try Alexander Haas Results in Philanthropy for information on board of trustee formation.

Create board of trustees profiles before recruiting members

Having a good idea of the kind of people you're looking for and their qualifications makes recruiting potential board members more efficient. Giving candidates a good idea of their responsibilities helps them make a more informed choice as to whether or not serving on your board is right for them.

I recommend: Check out NonProfitExpert.com and AllAboutBoards.com for a variety of resources on developing and strengthening your board of trustees.

Get board of trustees advice from a board of trustees expert

Estate planning attorneys and attorneys specializing in the formation of non-profit organizations help clients put together the right mix of people for a high functioning board of trustees. Their wealth of knowledge, resources and networks is a great asset when pulling together a qualified board.

I recommend: Thompson and Thompson of Novi, Michigan specializes in all aspects of non-profit formation and board of trustees management. Alston & Bird is a national firm with a full service tax and non-profit department.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be careful not to take advantage of close friends and family members when compiling your list of potential board of trustees members. A board needs to consist of people you work well with for good board of trustees management. People who share your passion and have the knowledge and skills necessary to operate a non profit organization help your organization run smoothly.