July 2026
Everything You Need to Know About Board Management This Summer
As nonprofit thought partners, we encourage our clients to use the flexibility of summer as an opportunity to reset and strengthen their internal infrastructure—whether that means investing in their professional staff, engaging lay leaders, or taking a fresh look at how they work together.
In this newsletter, we're answering some of the questions we hear most often about board leadership and governance. While every organization is unique, these insights apply to boards of all sizes and missions. After working alongside dozens of nonprofit boards each year, we've noticed a common theme: it's time to reconnect with the why.
Why do boards exist? Why do individuals choose to serve? Why does an organization need a strong partnership between its board and staff?
When boards are grounded in the answers to these questions, they make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and create greater impact. We hope these reflections spark meaningful conversations within your own organization.
Let's Help You Get to the Why
Board meetings can easily get consumed by logistics and updates. Here are two simple ways to make your next one more intentional.
Before you get into the business of the meeting, start with a story. Invite someone connected to your work to join for just the first few minutes — a clinician sharing recent research, a client sharing a success story, a camper or family member speaking to the impact of your programs. The goal is connection.
Spending the majority of your meeting on the business side is important, but starting with a human moment brings everyone back to the why: Why am I here? Why does this matter? Why does my role on this board make a difference?
A board that articulates what your organization does and why it matters can more effectively advocate for it (and raise money!).
Here is a simple exercise called Knowing Your Organization to help your board get aligned — download it here and bring it to your next meeting.
Let's Answer Your Questions
Start with a board assessment to understand what's working, what's not, and where alignment may be lacking. From there, you can determine whether you need minor adjustments, clearer roles and expectations, or a more comprehensive restructuring. The key is not to assume — what feels like a morale issue might actually be a governance issue. Assess first, then act.
- Rashel Allswang, Senior Empowerment Officer
Get them out of the boardroom. Summer is a great opportunity to engage your board in ways that feel less like obligation and more like connection — facility visits that reconnect them to the mission, summer retreats, thank-a-thons, and one-on-one check-ins. Engagement isn't just about attendance. It's about making sure every board member feels connected to the work, even in the slower months.
–Stefanie Pessis Weil, Chief Empowerment Officer
That's exactly where we come in. Board conversations touch on values, relationships, money, and legacy — it's no surprise they get heated. ENP's role is to take the emotion out of the room so your board can move from feelings to strategy, creating the structure and space for honest, productive conversations that actually lead somewhere.
–Taryn Gluskin, Senior Empowerment Officer
Answer: Over the past year, HHPLift has strengthened our governance structure while continuing to attract exceptional leaders. We have formalized board processes, established active committees, clarified roles and responsibilities, and created greater consistency in how the board operates.
The result is a more engaged, strategic, and collaborative board that is well positioned to support HHPLift's continued growth.
Answer: Give board members meaningful ways to contribute between board meetings.Committees, strategic discussions, retreats, and opportunities to leverage each member's expertise transform board service from attending quarterly meetings into becoming active partners in the organization's mission.
When board members have clear roles and real opportunities to make an impact, engagement naturally follows.
Answer: Empowered Nonprofits has been an outstanding partner in helping us evolve our board engagement. Through facilitated retreats, governance guidance, and practical coaching, they have helped us build a more intentional board culture. Our directors are now actively involved throughout the year through committees, strategic planning, and collaborative leadership.
Their expertise has helped us create a board that is not only well-governed, but genuinely invested in advancing HHPLift's mission.
