Nonprofit Board Success

How to Build a Board of Directors So Good That Even the Top CEOs Would Be Jealous

By: James Ruell

Narrated by: Robert Grindley

Your personal guide to building a nonprofit board of directors so good that even Fortune 500 companies will look on in envy, based on proven strategies and real-world examples.

What’s holding your nonprofit back? Is it a lack of funding? A lack of expertise? Internal conflict? Or simply not knowing where to start?

These problems are common to nonprofits, and there’s one simple solution to almost all of them: a strong board of directors.

Written by James Ruell, who has served as director and vice-treasurer of an award-winning charity, Nonprofit Board Success gives practical advice and proven techniques for building a top-notch board of directors—one that will make you the envy of CEOs everywhere.

In this book, you’ll learn:

• What a board is and why you need it
• What a board does and doesn’t do and how to spot helpful and unhelpful practices
• Where to look for board members and how to recruit them
• The role of board members in fundraising and governance
• How the most successful nonprofits utilize their boards
• How to deal with conflict and toxic situations among your board members
• How to turn your board of directors from a simple governance group to a strategic tool that supports your vision

Whether you’re a nonprofit leader or a new board member, this book will help you gain a solid picture of how a board of directors fits in with nonprofit leadership, and how to set your board—and your organization—up for success. Scroll up and buy now.

©2023 James Ruell (P)2023 James Ruell

A Masterclass in Nonprofit Board Building

I found James Ruell's insights and expertise invaluable. As someone always looking for robust guidance on nonprofit management, the book's pragmatic advice, backed by Ruell's firsthand experiences, was a refreshing take on building an effective board of directors. From recruitment strategies to handling internal conflicts, every topic was addressed thoroughly. This isn't just another generic guide; it's a deep dive into the nuances of board dynamics, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in nonprofit leadership. The clarity and actionable tips will surely set any organization on the path to success. Highly recommended!

Engaging flow for a complex topic

I was worried this might be a dry listen, but the pacing kept me locked in from the first chapter. James Ruell moves through the "how-to" of recruitment and governance at a steady clip, never lingering too long on theory before hitting you with a real-world scenario that makes the point click. It felt less like a lecture and more like a focused strategy session with a mentor who has actually been in the trenches as a treasurer.

The narration is crisp, which helps when you're trying to absorb the differences between helpful and unhelpful board practices while commuting. By the time I reached the section on toxic conflict resolution, I felt like the book had built a complete foundation for me to overhaul our current structure. It moves smoothly from the basics of what a board does to the high-level strategic tools that drive a vision forward.

Impactful and Strategic

I absolutely loved listening to Nonprofit Board Success - How to Build a Board of Directors So Good That Even the Top CEOs Would Be Jealous. James Ruell does an amazing job of explaining the concept of boards of directors in nonprofits, and then takes it one step further and outlines how to craft a board of directors that is strategic, impactful, and of the highest quality. One of the key takeaways that I particularly enjoyed was the emphasis on board dynamics and how to manage internal conflicts. This was particularly helpful, as it was an area that I had not considered before. The narration of Robert Grindley was superb, and I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking to establish a strong board of directors for their nonprofit.

Incredibly practical

One of the things that sets this book apart from other books on nonprofit governance is its focus on building a board that is truly strategic. Ruell emphasizes that the board's primary role is to set the organization's vision and strategy, and to hold the CEO accountable for achieving it. He provides specific guidance on how to develop a strategic board plan, and how to ensure that the board is regularly reviewing and updating the plan to make sure it is still aligned with the organization's mission and goals. Highly recommended.

Building the Best For Success!

James Ruell"s "Nonprofit Board Success" gives you an easy to follow guide on building a successful team for your board of directors. The Narration is enjoyable to listen to and really adds to the overall experience of the book. This book is packed with valuable information for anyone wanting to be on a board of directors or wants to build a impactful group for their company I recommend this book, I learned so much.