Non-profits learn
how to get organized

By TOM RUE

MARGARETVILLE -- Who should serve on the board of a not-for-profit organization, how to recruit and motivate trustees, and fired-raising techniques were among the issues discussed at a training seminar for members of voluntary boards of directors held earlier this fall. It was cosponsored by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) and the Roxbury Arts Group.

Peter Bellerman, a non-profit consultant and executive director of the NYC based National Neurofibromatosis Foundation, spoke for two hours to about 50 trustees and directors of 20 organizations from Sullivan and Delaware counties, including: DVAA, Delaware Community Center, Hancock-Chehocton Historical Association, Sullivan County Arts Council, and Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop.

Bellerman stressed that the sole purpose of a board of directors is to govern -- to make sure that the activities your organization promises the people of the state get carried out"

Exactly how this is accomplished varies substantially among groups, he said. But the functions can be divided into four basic areas, which Bellerman said should be handled by subcommittees of the full board: program,..audit and finance, development, and fund-raising.

Boards should contain "a sensible mix" of people knowledgeable not only in an organization's program (i.e.: art, recreation, the environment, medical services), but also people with experience in administration, management, publicity, fund-raising, accounting, maintenance, and a variety of other fields.

What we take so much for granted is the brutal and compelling fact that our board members are volunteer," he said.

Meetings should start promptly, be firmly chaired, and agendas mailed out significantly beforehand. The full board need not meet more than quarterly, Bellerman stated, to do ~0 is 'a kiss of death" to the energy and commitment of individual members. Such a pattern, he claimed indicated that an organization was is a state of "perpetual crisis."

In answer to a question, Bellerman advised that if a board is presently meeting monthly, "Talk them out of it. Convince them that they all have better things to do than sit there once a month and get aggravated with each other."

Bellerman's organization, which is concerned with research into "Elephant Man's disease," small committees meet regularly and report their activities to the entire board. lie said this method could be employed by any group to increase efficiency.

Every board member and employee should have a personalized job description, outlining precisely what is expected. And the board should periodically review and revise the organization's 'mission statement to determine if it is still meeting community needs, he aid. Trustees were reminded that they hold a public trust and need to maintain strong ties with their communities. Bellerman noted that most volunteers serve in order to feel "fulfilled as a human being."

Non-profits learn how to get organized

Non-profits learn
how to get organized