Resource Results for "Governance Risk"
The Risk Management Process
By the Nonprofit Risk Management Center Measures to address risk should be practical and within the reach of the organization. Every nonprofit, from the largest to the smallest, can and should take time to look into the future and predict both downside and upside risks. In fact risk management is extremely important for small nonprofits … Continued
The Role of Resilience in Risk Management
By Melanie Lockwood Herman As consultants to diverse organizations we encounter dedicated leaders and the nonprofits they serve at various stages of their respective risk management journeys. On one day we may consult with the board of a nonprofit considering the risks and rewards of a significant change in governance or structure (e.g., a merger … Continued
Governance Matters
By Melanie Lockwood Herman Strengthening the governance practices at your organization requires more than a checklist or handbook touting “do’s” and “don’ts.” Leaders who want to inspire good governance must take the time necessary to look beneath the surface of often complex governance issues and commit to remedying issues that stand in the way of … Continued
Meet Me in the Middle: Compromise in a Risky World
By Melanie Lockwood Herman Compromise and consensus are common themes in the nonprofit world. When debating controversial issues we are eager to discount “extreme” views and look for middle ground. Compromise—“the middle way between two extremes” is intuitively appealing. But another definition of compromise—“settle by concession”—offers a hint of the downside of our compulsion to … Continued
Risk Management Culture and Your Volunteers
By Melanie Lockwood Herman We’ve been obsessed with “culture” in recent weeks. At a conference I attended in Toronto in mid-August Nancy Axelrod, governance guru and founding President of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center told an audience of nonprofit CEOs that “culture trumps strategy.” Nancy’s comments reminded me that no matter how carefully a nonprofit’s … Continued
Influence Matters: Stakeholders and Risk
By Melanie Lockwood Herman What is a Stakeholder? One way to define the concept of “stakeholder” is a party who has a “stake” in control of the nonprofit because he or she is in position to exercise influence over the organization’s conduct. Another definition is individuals and groups who can affect and are affected by … Continued
Risk and the Board: What Could Go Wrong?
By Melanie Lockwood Herman During my career I’ve reported to and served on some terrific nonprofit boards. And something I’ve learned first-hand is that no two nonprofit boards are exactly alike. From size, to focus to meeting format, nonprofit boards are perhaps best compared to snowflakes: each is different in some respects from the others. … Continued
Risk Oversight: Who Dunnit?
By Erin Gloeckner When I first heard the term risk oversight, I imagined a risk manager following clues in a deerstalker hat like Sherlock Holmes. I thought risk oversight meant chasing down the villain who allowed the risk to materialize. But risk oversight is not about blaming people when downside risks materialize. Those responsible for … Continued
3 Risk Resolutions
By Alexandra Ricketts and Melanie Herman The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to begin tackling a fresh set of goals. Whether your list of goals is personal, professional or related to the vision and mission of your nonprofit, we all have hopes and expectations for the coming year. In the paragraphs … Continued
Don’t Be Superstitious about Risk
By Melanie Lockwood Herman I’m a compulsive calendar checker. I no longer have a black, spiral bound desk calendar, but I consult my electronic calendar at least a dozen times throughout the workday. With the Ides of March approaching, I was reminded of the role that superstition plays in risk management. For example, during a … Continued