The governing board of a non-profit entity oversees the acts of the organization and ensures that it lives up to its mission. A nonprofit governing board statement states the reason for the board's existence. That statement will guide the organization's activities for years, and you must take great care when writing it.
Instructions
1. Don't overwrite. A statement of no more than a half a page is best for a newly started nonprofit. The opening sentence of the first paragraph should clearly state the purpose of your organization and the board. Then state the type of work the organization aims to accomplish, explain how the board will govern and detail which items it will oversee.
2. At the top of the second paragraph, state whether executive committees will carry out the mission of the organization. Decide if these individual committees need a statement. They should not need governing statements since they are not governing committees. If you include them, detail the responsibilities of each executive committee member.
3. In the next paragraph, note how many people your organization has served, if any, and what results your nonprofit has achieved. Explain what services you intend to provide. Detail the values your activities will represent.
4. Make certain that you are completely accurate with your data. A nonprofit entity must be transparent in all business dealings. Rework the governing board statement by adding and taking away wording until you feel you have the right combination of phrases to define the nonprofit organization.
5. Allow a specified few to work on the governing board statement with you. Ask for feedback and suggestions. You can certainly turn it over to a professional later if you feel it needs to be enhanced, or you can have an attorney vet it.
6. Present the final statement to the full board of directors for their approval.
