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Transform The Board/Executive Director Relationship: From Burden To Strategic Partner
A Relationship And Communication Guide For Nonprofit Executive Directors And Board Leadership
I created this booklet for Executive Directors, Nonprofit Leaders and Board Chairs and Directors.
It doesn’t matter if you are a current or aspiring Executive Director or a Board Chair, this booklet is filled with strategies and tips to make that work easier on you and those who you serve.
I’m here to help you lead in a courageous and empowering way so your Board can partner effectively in innovation, problem solving, and accountability, all while in service of this mission of the organization.
- This booklet is for all the Executive Directors who are working tirelessly to keep your organization on track and sustainable despite the distraction of preparing for meaningful and engaging Board meetings.
- This is also for the Board Members who want to do the best job possible for the nonprofit you serve but find Board meetings are more a social gathering than a dedicated time to dive in and support the organization and your ED.
I believe that together we can work smarter, no matter what the world throws at us, to make a difference.
— Beth Wonson
Print Length: 53 pages
Published: Sep. 17, 2025
Author: Beth Wonson
Price includes tax. A download link will be emailed to you upon purchase.
A Message from Beth Wonson 1
I Created This Booklet for Nonprofit Leaders and Board Chairs 2
Introduction: You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone 3
The old playbooks aren’t working anymore. 3
I get it. That’s why I am sharing my tools and expertise. 3
Reflection Questions 4
Chapter 1: Understanding the Three Growth Phases 5
Phase 1: Start-Up/Launch 5
Phase 2: Growth/Oversight 5
Phase 3: Maturity/Institutional 6
One Nonprofit’s Growth Story: Safe Harbor Women’s Center 7
Start-Up/Launch Phase: “Kitchen Table to Crisis Line” 7
Growth/Oversight Phase: “Professionalizing with Purpose” 8
Lessons from Safe Harbor’s Journey 8
Reflection Questions 10
Chapter 2: Where is Your Organization At? 11
Diagnosing Your Board 11
Be Aware of the Energy You Bring to The Room 12
Self-Assessment: Determine Where Your Board Engagement is Today 13
A Board Success Story 14
Reflection Questions 15
Chapter 3: Facilitating the Transition 16
Finding Your Ally: The Board Chair/Executive Director Partnership 16
Reflection Questions 18
Chapter 4: Building the Board Chair/Executive Director Relationship 19
Building Your Relationship with the Board Chair 20
Starting The Three-Step Transition Process 20
Timeline for Board Transformation 21
Reflection Questions 22
Chapter 5: Using Curiosity for Board Development 23
The Power of Board Coaching 23
Curious Questions and Board Coaching 23
Curious questions with nonprofit Boards: 24
Foundational Norms of Authentic Curiosity with Board Members 25
When to Insert a Great Question During Board Interactions 26
Sample Curious Questions for Nonprofit Board Coaching 27
The Power of Curiosity in Nonprofit Board Governance 29
Building Board Capacity Through Curious Coaching 31
Term Limits Are Your Friend 31
Shifting Focus from Fundraising to Fund Development 32
A Reality Check On Fundraising 35
Reflection Questions 35
Chapter 6: Your Strategic Plan as a Board Engagement Tool 36
Your Strategic Plan is Your Ultimate Tool for: 36
Steps to Take Right Now 36
Reflection Questions 37
Chapter 7: Tools for Structuring and Sustaining Boards that Raise Money 38
Key Questions to Bring Focus to Fund Development and Sustainability 38
Shifting to Fund Development 39
Main Components of a Fund Development Plan 39
Factors that Lead to Fund Development Success 45
Key Differences Between Fund Development and Fundraising 46
Impact on Relationships and Sustainability 46
Integrating Both Fundraising and Fund Development 47
How Focus on Fund Development Shifts Your Boards Focus, Energy and Commitment: 48
Bottom Line 48
Reflection Questions 48
Chapter 8: Your 90-Day Getting Started Checklist 49
Week 0: Prepare Yourself 49
Month 1: Assessment and Preparation 50
Month 2: Building Relationships and Clarity 50
Month 3: Implementation and Momentum 51
This process will ultimately lighten your load. 51
My approach is hands-on, and uniquely effective. 52
Anticipated Outcomes 52
Reflection Questions 53
Wrap Up 53
The real question is how much longer can you carry this alone? 53
Your mission deserves a Board that’s truly engaged in moving it forward. 53
Print Length: 53 pages
Published: Sep. 17, 2025
Author: Beth Wonson
Price includes tax. A download link will be emailed to you upon purchase.
About the Author, Beth Wonson
Beth developed the Navigating Challenging Dialogue® (NCD) process out of a desire to help herself become a better manager, leader, parent, and friend. As she began working with the tools she developed, she got requests to help people, teams, and organizations become better at having tough – but essential – conversations.
In 2010, Beth Wonson & Company was launched. Since then, Beth has been speaking, coaching, mentoring, and training individuals and teams. Now, Fortune 500s, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and schools use the tools and strategies of NCD to become communicators who empower others through meaningful, drama-free conversations.
NCD is now a proven tool for improving culture, clarity, and retention in organizations. To reach even more people, Beth has now published two books for implementing NCD:
- Turn This Conversation Around: The 4-Stage Process for Communication with Connection
- Mastering Feedback: Everything You’ve Never Been Told About How to Give Feedback
Beth speaks nationally about the urgent need to have high-stakes conversations in healthy ways, even with people we don’t agree with. “Until we learn to listen with curiosity, build empathy, and focus on the good of the whole when having tough conversations, we will not be able to move the needle on our most complex challenges.”
