Hallmark #10: Values the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Tools

• Go to the Web site of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center and subscribe to a twice-monthly email newsletter called, “eNews” or subscribe to monthly webinars on various risk management topics.
• Encourage staff and volunteers to take online free tutorials that are available at the website of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center.
• Basic Risk Management Online Tutorial
• Accident Response Tutorial
• Business Continuity Planning Tutorial
• Volunteer Risk Management Tutorial
• Workplace Safety Tutorial
• Online Safety Toolkit for Paid and Volunteer Staff
• Free online board training! Provide your board with an online tool that can be accessed 24/7 and covers the basics of board member roles and responsibilities. http://www.compasspoint.org/boardbasics
• Become familiar with what makes other nonprofits strong. The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector www.nonprofitpanel.org developed 33 Principles of Good Governance and Ethical Practice that are published in booklet form and downloadable from the Panel’s web site. The 31 principles are intended to apply to all nonprofit organizations but recognize that the nonprofit sector is diverse, so not all the principles will neatly fit all organizations. The principles are not standards that must be followed (except those that reflect legal requirements applicable to all tax-exempt organizations) but instead reflect principles that many leaders in the nonprofit sector regard as ‘best practices.’ Use the principles as discussion points and review the discussion that follows each principle. Consider whether the principles are instructive and should apply to your organization, and if not, why not?
• Compare your own organization to various standards of ‘best practices’ in the nonprofit world. For basic background governance policies, we recommend that you visit the web site of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, www.nonprofitpanel.org, and read the Panel’s 33 Principles of Good Governance and Ethical Practice.

• Many state nonprofit organizations have developed their own ‘best practice’ guides that reflect the best thinking of nonprofit leaders in those states about governance practices, fundraising practices and financial management. The National Council of Nonprofits web site offers links to the standards developed by its member state associations. Click here.
  
  Examples of governance standards developed by the Center's satellite partners include:
• Arkansas: Arkansas Coalition for Excellence(ACE) Diamond Standards
• Maine: Guiding Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Maine
• Michigan: Principles and Practices of Nonprofit Excellence in Michigan
• Minnesota: Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence
• The IRS web site offers valuable information about maintaining tax exempt status and tax compliance issues common to all nonprofit organizations. Encourage staff and volunteers to explore the portion of the IRS web site that is just for charities. The Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) organizations is an easy read and a good tool for board orientation or for sharing with employees who are new to the nonprofit sector.