If you have ever served as a member of a Board of Trustees, particularly of a nonprofit or independent sector organization, this book is definitely for you. Told in the form of what are called the minutes of the monthly meetings but, in actually is more of a condensed version of The Congressional Report or the Talmud, the secretary provides more detail than Robert’s Rules of Order ever required or expected. Most people will recognize the opening of one chapter: “Mr. Russell began the meeting at 8:13 P.M. (though he had tried to start it at 8:04 and again at 8:10).”
Originally released as OUR ORGANIZATION, BOARD OVERBOARD is guaranteed to both educate you, make you realize that it could be worse, and entertain. You may recognize some of the people, situations, and frustrations of a group of mainly well-meaning people trying to accomplish things way beyond their competence.
We never learn either the name or mission of the Organization but it can fit a diverse range. Many of the Board members are totally unprepared for their duties despite being presented with material and guidance to help them. At one point, when learning they are in danger of losing their 501(c)(3) status, one member naively asks, “What’s wrong with starting back at one again, or couldn’t we negotiate for a compromise and just go back to something in between, like 250(j)(11)?”
O’Connell’s sometimes subtle wit permeates the book. “Penelope held a tissue to her eyes to keep from weeping, and Jack Neal held a handkerchief to his mouth to keep from gagging.” “Being wound up but not winding down....” One resolution proposed the “National Board, now approximately 85 percent male, should be required to have closer to a fifty-fifty balance. It was defeated by approximately 85 percent of the votes.”
Needless to say, the Organization is in severe financial straights. While scrounging for help in adding equipment and getting some offers of ancient items, one soliciting Board member reported, “All the businessmen pointed out that nonprofits don’t need the latest stuff.”
A few comments are very timely: “Was it not better to leave it to the schools to teach fundamentals and the churches fundamentalism?” Published in 1995, BOARD OVERBOARD discusses changes in communication but didn’t predict the influence of the internet or social networking.
I first read OUR ORGANIZATION in 1990 when I was studying for a Master’s Degree in Management of Nonprofit Organizations. The program was in its infancy with fewer than five colleges offering the degree. The differences between nonprofits and for profits is huge and the growth of the programs have improved the leadership of the independent sector. Brian O’Connell, the founder of The Independent Sector, has written several books to help people and organizations fulfill their missions. BOARD OVERBOARD is a fantastic look at what happens to them when they follow Alice down the rabbit hole. ( )