The board member perspective on best practice in nonprofit governance

Jerry D. Marx, University of New Hampshire
Christie Davis, University of New Hampshire

Abstract

The governance of private nonprofit organizations requires a high level of competence on the part of social administrators and their volunteer boards of directors. To this end, the governance relationship between the volunteer "board" and executive management needs to be well defined and structured. Yet, to date, research has not produced a "best practice" model. Business leaders and other professionals serving as volunteers on nonprofit boards as well as those hired as executive directors need the guidance that such research could provide. This online survey of 193 nonprofit board members seeks to clarify "the board perspective" on best practice in nonprofit governance.