Robert M. Zimmerman

Robert Zimmerman (a cherished mentor, friend, and colleague for more than two decades) and Ann Lehman (his partner in the San Francisco-based Zimmerman Lehman consulting firm for nonprofit organizations) provide what serves equally well as a brief (less than 100 pages of text, plus appendices) primer for those newly elected to nonprofit board positions and as a reference guide for those already serving on boards. The book begins with a convincing summary of the positive and important roles board members play as advocates for the organizations they represent, and continues with easy to absorb tips on how to engage in strategic planning; how to run effective meetings; and what board members need to know about finances, accountability, and transparency. A chapter on recruiting new members to a nonprofit board of directors includes a list of skills needed by current and incoming board members and offers suggestions on how to craft job descriptions for them, while the remaining chapters provide management tips, descriptions of board members' fiduciary and management responsibilities, and insights on how to raise funds through a variety of means including special events. An appendix with resources for board members leads readers to the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, Board Cafe, BoardSource, and other organizations that will help nonprofit board members develop their skills and better serve those they support through their work as valued community volunteers.… (más)