Board Functions I Had

• Jan. 2019 - Mrt. 2020 Secretary on the  board of Stichting Verloren Jaren (UnPaid/onBezoldigd) (In The Netherlands, Via Databeet)

• Apr. 2017 - Dec. 2019 Secretary on the board of Stichting Anoiksis Beheer (Paid/Bezoldigd) (In The Netherlands, Via Databeet)

The Board Can't Do It Alone

A foundation or association often starts with an idea to fill a void that is there. The statutes are drawn up. One goes to the notary and a board is appointed. And then? Then the work begins. The association or foundation must be kept running and the board cannot do this alone. Not even small foundations. Volunteers are often involved, but unfortunately this do not cover all the work, or do not have all the knowledge in-house.

Outsource Tasks

A solution is to hire external parties for certain very specific tasks and for the rest as much as possible let the members of the association or those involved in the foundation carry out the tasks themselves, so that the board is not overloaded.

Tasks For Volunteers

Tasks that can be left to volunteers:

• The members administration

• Taking minutes (notes) at meetings

• Project committees

• Recruiting sponsors

• Maintaining daily contacts

• Execution of the projects

• Writing a plan of approach

• Go through mail

• Complaint’s handling

• Website maintenance.

A few are tough tasks, and the volunteers must have the time to perform them.

Outsource Tasks Better

At somewhat larger foundations and associations they have employees or a board office to support them. What does a management office do:

• Coordinating the daily work

• Advising on communication, relationship management and policy

• Monitoring the implementation of objectives

• If there are no employees or a board office, it is better to purchase the following expertise from external parties:

  • Drafting regulations of the articles of association

  • Advice on specific projects

  • Writing a policy plan

  • Write annual plan

  • Create financial statements

  • Advising board on policy matters

  • Collect, analyze, and visualize data about competition or target audience

  • Storytelling with data, telling the story of the foundation as succinctly as possible.