Advisory Board Consultation

The most effective nonprofit organizations have an involved governance structure—that is, a board of directors, advisory board, or advisors—supporting the executive director and working together as a team to advance the organization’s mission. Tides Center offers each project individualized support and resources to build the right governance structure for every stage of the project’s development.

New Project Assessments

During new project orientation, Tides Center staff review the project’s governance experience and capabilities. Some projects come to Tides Center with a fully developed advisory structure; others have never worked with a governing board.  Some are small enough to take advantage of a few advisors and don’t need to develop a formal body that meets regularly. Larger projects benefit greatly from a dedicated group of strategic thinkers who meet on a regular basis to move the project’s mission forward.

Written Materials

Tides Center makes available to each project a Governance Guidelines Handbook that describes Tides Center’s fiscal sponsorship model of governance. The handbook also contains useful templates for reviewing and revisiting a project’s mission, tools for strategic planning, sample advisory board job descriptions, basics of minute-taking, and other useful materials. Tide Center also offers a six-page summary of the Tides Center governance model that is useful for introducing new advisors to Tides Center and their role as advisors.

Training

Tides Center training is provided via web conferencing for the convenience of convening individuals in different locations.  Project directors, staff, and advisory board members may attend. Included are an introduction to the basics of nonprofit governance, a description of the interdependent roles and responsibilities of the Tides Center Board of Directors and the project’s advisory board, and a review of the nonprofit sector’s best practices for developing a strong nonprofit governing structure. The PowerPoint used in the training is available for project use.

Managing Conflicts of Interest

Increased public scrutiny of the nonprofit sector has made careful management of real or potential conflicts of interest essential. To protect the interests and integrity of each project, Tides Center defines various types of conflicts that can arise and offers each project the steps needed to prevent or manage conflicts. Tides Center’s Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure Statement is signed annually by each project director and advisor, and again during the year if a new conflict arises. Any disclosed conflict or potential conflict is shared with the entire advisory board to enable each member to make informed decisions when a potential for conflict exists. This policy protects the integrity of the governance process.

Annual Review and Goal Setting

Project directors and advisors meet annually with Tides Center governance staff to review governance practices, develop solutions for project challenges, and to set governance goals for the year.

Year-Round Consultations

Projects use Tides Center’s governance consultation services to discuss a wide variety of topics such as managing conflicts of interest, making board meetings more productive, determining the right mix of board member characteristics needed to address project challenges, orienting new board members, and handling difficult or non-engaged board members. We also offer assistance with developing a fundraising board.