Record Keeping

While the first line of protection from liability is exercising best practices, holding adequate insurance is essential for any organization as a fail-safe when human error occurs.

Read this introduction to learn how bylaws are an indispensable tool for success, both in the demanding vocation of a nonprofit leader and in the fulfillment of the mission of your organization as a whole.

Effective communication saves time, builds morale, and prevents disorder and disputes. Read this section to learn how the definitions section of the bylaws empowers you and your organization to communicate clearly and protect your organization legally.

Nonprofits need the support of an engaged board and the confidence that the board’s action will be valid and final. Read this section to learn how the notice section of the bylaws sets the stage for productive board and committee deliberations and protects your organization from confusion or challenges to board or committee actions and decisions.

Nonprofits need the support of an engaged board and the confidence that the board’s action will be valid and final. Read this section to learn how the notice section of the bylaws sets the stage for productive board and committee deliberations and protects your organization from confusion or challenges to board or committee actions and decisions.

Committees are a double-edged sword: they can responsibly and effectively respond to an organization’s need or they can create confusing and unnecessary bureaucracy. Read this section to make sure your organization can use committees to strength your organization and avoid common mistakes.

Committees are a double-edged sword: they can responsibly and effectively respond to an organization’s need or they can create confusing and unnecessary bureaucracy. Read this section to make sure your organization can use committees to strength your organization and avoid common mistakes.

For a religious organization, protecting the mission and faith is paramount. This protection must be more than just an abstract principle; organizations must take practical steps to preserve their religious identity and charism. Read this section to learn how members can protect your mission and vision.

For a religious organization, protecting the mission and faith is paramount. This protection must be more than just an abstract principle; organizations must take practical steps to preserve their religious identity and charism. Read this section to learn how members can protect your mission and vision.

Your board of directors is a crucial strategic asset for your organization. Choosing directors and defining how the board will operate are two of the most important decisions your organization faces. Read this section to learn how to approach these choices effectively and successfully.

Your board of directors is a crucial strategic asset for your organization. Choosing directors and defining how the board will operate are two of the most important decisions your organization faces. Read this section to learn how to approach these choices effectively and successfully.

Your organization’s future will be determined through decisions made at meetings of your leaders. Read this section to learn how your organization can set standards for meetings that will lead to the best outcomes for your mission, now and in the future.

Your organization’s future will be determined through decisions made at meetings of your leaders. Read this section to learn how your organization can set standards for meetings that will lead to the best outcomes for your mission, now and in the future.

Your volunteer directors and members give generously to their organization. Indemnification allows your organization to protect these key supporters by covering legal fees that might arise through their service. Read this section to ensure your organization is a good steward of your leaders’ time and service by setting up proper indemnification protections.

Your volunteer directors and members give generously to their organization. Indemnification allows your organization to protect these key supporters by covering legal fees that might arise through their service. Read this section to ensure your organization is a good steward of your leaders’ time and service by setting up proper indemnification protections.

Officers execute on the organization’s strategy and mission. You need the right people serving in circumstances that will empower their success in pursuing the organization’s mission. Read this section to learn how to use the roles of officers successfully, through the establishment of appropriate qualifications, terms, and positions.

Officers execute on the organization’s strategy and mission. You need the right people serving in circumstances that will empower their success in pursuing the organization’s mission. Read this section to learn how to use the roles of officers successfully, through the establishment of appropriate qualifications, terms, and positions.

Successful decision-making requires setting the stage for thorough deliberation and appropriate consensus on the most important decisions your organization will face. Read this section so you can establish standards of review and approval that increase your organization’s likelihood of success in the future.

Successful decision-making requires setting the stage for thorough deliberation and appropriate consensus on the most important decisions your organization will face. Read this section so you can establish standards of review and approval that increase your organization’s likelihood of success in the future.

Leaders are key to an organization, and, to support their success, you must establish effective election processes and terms of board, officer or other service. Handled wrongly, elections and terms can create or foster an unhealthy or unstable culture. Handled rightly, elections and terms enable growth, innovation, and stability. Read this section so your organization can establish election processes and term standards that embrace opportunities and avoid pitfalls.

Leaders are key to an organization, and, to support their success, you must establish effective election processes and terms of board, officer or other service. Handled wrongly, elections and terms can create or foster an unhealthy or unstable culture. Handled rightly, elections and terms enable growth, innovation, and stability. Read this section so your organization can establish election processes and term standards that embrace opportunities and avoid pitfalls.

Tax-exempt nonprofits are overseen by both government and state regulators, as well, informally, by their donors, constituents, and the general public. Nonprofits must keep records of their key decisions and uses of funding in order to comply with the law and to honor the trust given them. Read this section to learn about the opportunity bylaws offer to make records and reporting an area of success for your organization.

Tax-exempt nonprofits are overseen by both government and state regulators, as well, informally, by their donors, constituents, and the general public. Nonprofits must keep records of their key decisions and uses of funding in order to comply with the law and to honor the trust given them. Read this section to learn about the opportunity bylaws offer to make records and reporting an area of success for your organization.

Faith commitment is the defining characteristic of a faith-based nonprofit. Yet, often, faith-based nonprofits neglect to effectively articulate this commitment in their bylaws. This mistake can be devastating for the mission, the organizational culture, and the organization’s religious freedom. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting the statement of faith; learn how to ensure your bylaws align with and further your work.

Faith commitment is the defining characteristic of a faith-based nonprofit. Yet, often, faith-based nonprofits neglect to effectively articulate this commitment in their bylaws. This mistake can be devastating for the mission, the organizational culture, and the organization’s religious freedom. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting the statement of faith; learn how to ensure your bylaws align with and further your work.

Faith-based nonprofits should provide their directors with an onboarding package containing key documents related to the organization and its operations. This onboarding package will help directors understand the organization so that they can provide accurate and helpful guidance

Using a compliance calendar can minimize the risk of fines and penalties associated with missed or late filings and have a measurable impact on an Organization’s efficient functioning, financial bottom line, and reputation.

Complete and well-organized corporate records are important both for efficient organizational performance and for legal compliance.