Full of innovative ideas and helpful resources, Cardinal Principles of Governance is a valuable exploration of the steps that governing boards need to take to strengthen their nonprofit organizations. Beginning with an introduction to the size of the nonprofit sector in the United States and outlining its economic impact, author Arnold Clickstein provides direction and guidance on developing key strategies for nonprofit organizations.
Clickstein briefly explores the evolution of the nonprofit sector, from the days of our Founding Fathers to the current Senate Select Committee on Finance, which is crafting new federal regulations for the nonprofit sector. He points out the sharp distrust of the nonprofit sector that arose after 9/11 and the corporate scandals of the early 2000s. A number of high-profile cases involving nonprofits illustrate the extent of the problem. Clickstein also demonstrates the importance of nonprofits acquiring a sense of historical place and helps boards understand and assume their fiduciary, strategic, ethical, and issue-engaged responsibilities.
With more than thirty years of experience in the nonprofit industry as a student, teacher, board member and leader, Clickstein is well qualified to show you how to improve governance and create a shared vision for your nonprofit organization. To learn more about him, go to www.arnoldclickstein.com.
Reviews
A trustee of the Boston Children’s Museum states: “In an era of increasing public scrutiny, non-profit institutions will find this book an invaluable and timely guide to critically evaluating and improving the leadership of their governing boards. I especially recommend the sections on actively engaging board members in strategic planning and long range policy making.”A past vice-president of the Federation of Women’s Clubs of America states: “This is a good book—an important book! It should be read and then referred to and re-read periodically by officers of non-profit organizations”.
An executive director of a large California nonprofit states: “The book is excellent. I love the historical references—really interesting.”
Excerpts
From Chapter 3A Board Member’s Guide to Fiduciary Responsibilities
When governance and management teams have an understanding of the breadth of the nonprofit sector in the United States and the way it came about as well as insight into some of the legislation aimed at making the nonprofit sector more accountable, it is appropriate they also gain some perspective of what is required of functioning boards. Fulfillment of fiduciary responsibilities is of prime importance.
As defined earlier in chapter 2, a fiduciary is a person or persons to whom property and power is entrusted for the benefit of another. Fiduciary responsibilities are more than being entrusted with protecting all the assets (tangible and intangible) of the nonprofit organization as they also involve making sure those assets are available to both current and future generations. The fiduciary duties of governing boards are made up of thirteen key elements…
From Chapter 7
A New Work Ethic for Nonprofit Organizations
What Nonprofit Governance Can Learn from the Corporate World
While there are obvious differences between for-profit corporations and nonprofit ones, many of the principles of good corporate governance set forth in Sarbannes-Oxley are equally applicable to the nonprofit sector. Given the absence of shareholder oversight, and in light of recent abuses involving charitable assets, the requirement to employ financial controls can help ensure the integrity of charities by deterring mismanagement and misconduct while allowing financial problems to be discovered in time to fashion remedies. Charities need to follow stricter rules for fiscal soundness and transparency. With their tax-exempt status, these charities don’t have to pay taxes, while at the same time they gain the ability to fundraise from the public.There are some American corporations with excellent governance principles that ought to be looked at by the nonprofit sector. General Electric is one of these. It has these principles of governance…
Cardinal Principles of Governance
Price: $17.95ISBN 978-0-595-41714
Cardinal Principles of Governance is available online from Barnes and Noble or call your local Barnes and Noble store. It also is available online from Amazon. You can order it from your local bookstore.
Take note of these special prices if ordered from the author: one copy is $18.00; two copies are $17 each; and three or more copies are $15 each. Prices include MA tax and shipping by first class mail.
To make a purchase directly from the author, click on the logo below which will connect you to a secure website. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards are accepted. You also may order by calling Arnold Clickstein at 617-834-2612 or emailing him at aclickstein@strategicwise.com.