The Book of the Board

Effective governance for non-profit organisations

2nd edition

By David Fishel

The Book of the Board is an invaluable handbook for boards and board members of non-profit organisations. It explains:

the purpose of a board in a non-profit organisation
the board's formal and legal responsibilities
the main areas where a board can add to the organisation's effectiveness

This second edition, while retaining an overall structure similar to the first edition, has been fully revised and updated to reflect developments in the non-profit environment. Particular revisions include:

A new Checklists section, containing ten quick-reference checklists on topics ranging from strategic planning and compliance through to board recruitment and succession planning
All the interviews have been replaced with eight new interviews from Australian non-profit organisations in the fields of environment, sports, arts and youth development
The topics covered in the original 17 chapters have been streamlined into 12 chapters
A new chapter has been added on the subject of alliances and mergers in the non-profit field
The Resources section has been overhauled, with seven Resources retained and updated, and eight new Resources added, covering governance charters, running a planning retreat, CEO appraisal and committee structures
New charts and diagrams that provide a visual overview of key topics
Gavin Nicholson, Louise Walsh and Judith James join Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes and Elizabeth Jameson among the contributors

Introduction

The Job of the Board

A Sense of Direction

An Interview with the Environmental Defender's Office

The CEO and The Board

Purposeful Meetings

In the Chair

An Interview with Netball Australia

Risk Management

Compliance with legal responsibilities

Financial Planning and Control

An Interview with the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra

The Board and Fundraising

Measuring our Progress

Alliances and Mergers

An Interview with The Foundation of Young Australians

Recruitment and Succession

Postscript: Twenty Staging Posts of Board Development
Checklists
Resources
Interviewees
Bibliography
Websites
Index

REVIEWS

Reviews of first edition
A practical and common sense guide to day-to-day administration. It is comprehensive … Most useful is the final section which is simply titled ‘Resources’. It is best described as comprising ready reference tools which encapsulate the essence of points being made throughout the book, such as a meeting procedure, a discipline policy, draft position descriptions, recruitment checklist and a risk assessment overview. … [It] contains many time-saving templates and checklists that will be constantly used.

Australian Law Librarian

You generally won’t find books on governance jostling for space among the best sellers with the latest Bryce Courtenay or coffee table cookbooks but here’s one that should. … There are so many positive features of Fishel’s book that it is hard to know where to start. … Within its less than 300 pages, the book manages to encompass all of the major concerns of not-for-profit boards. The language is clear and lively and even complex issues are laid out with simplicity. The interviews and case studies are relevant and illustrative.

SACOSS News

Fishel’s book should be standard issue for all Boards in the not-for-profit sector and the set text for any new recruits being inducted into membership.

Educare News

From the outset, Fishel presents considered and well-balanced strategies for implementing systems of good management that enable executives and board members to operate in confidence.

Lawyers Weekly

SUPPLEMENTS

Foreword by David Gonski AC

This supplement is in PDF Format see below for instructions regarding PDF.

Foreword by David Gonski AC

PDF FILES

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Published 1 July 2008
Publisher The Federation Press
Paperback/300pp
ISBN 9781862876897
Australian RRP $59.95
Direct Price $55.00
International Price $55.00
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Management & Human Resources
Charities / Non-profit / Voluntary Sector
Governance
Sport & Leisure
Secondary School Resources