Nonprofit boards are weird
I'm on a few non-profit boards and one of the things I don't see the author mention at all or specifically is the primary directive of the board is the financials. The CEO/Director is in charge of the day to day operations. The board has very little interest in that. A non-profit will have some or most of it's money from donors and those donors want to make sure that donation is being spent effectively. And that is where a good or bad board becomes responsible.<p>If the money is being spent to drive the mission of the non-profit successfully no one cares. We show up for the board meeting, order sandwiches, and ask questions. And plan the next meeting.<p>If the money is not being spent effectively or the mission isn't being met well we ask questions, sometimes offer advice, or raise more money. Maybe staff need to be changed or a new director hired. The board does not need to know the technicalities of the non-profit it just wants it to be governed with good care.<p>You can't operate a non-profit the same technique as a for-profit. They are orthogonal in duties. A true non-profit has to spend almost every dollar it takes in. The board is all voluntary and there is nothing in it for them, except those sandwiches!