The time is now for nonprofit professionals to begin making changes on nonprofit boards across the country. For too long, these professionals have sat idly by and watched as many boards become too involved with an organization or too complacent. There are many boards who have board members in name only but many of these board members don’t even attend a board meeting throughout the year.

“Hands On, Fingers Out.” On a weekly basis my teacher, David Henninger, uses this phrase to describe one of the most important aspects of board governance. I never knew what he truly meant until I attended a recent board meeting for an organization I volunteer with. Nonprofit organizations are looking for a board to be hands on but doesn’t want the board’s fingers in every aspect of the day to day operation of the organization.