Facilitating the Necessary Board Transition

This is part 2 of 2 in a series I’m doing, From Working to Governing: Transforming Your Nonprofit Board.

Facilitating the Necessary Board Transition

I recently worked with a nonprofit who was intentionally making the shift from a working board to a governing board. They'd hired their first Executive Director, but long-time board members were clinging to pet projects—even when those initiatives no longer aligned with the mission or represented the best use of limited resources.

Tensions escalated when the ED secured a major foundation grant to hire professional staff for roles that board members had voluntarily filled for years. The resentment was palpable.

The breakthrough came during a strategic planning process that created space for honest dialogue about the organization's future. Through this facilitated conversation:

  • Some long-term board members recognized it was time to shift to volunteer or committee roles.

  • The ED and Board Chair gently coached others off the board, honoring their history while making it clear that new perspectives were needed.

  • Yes, some people left upset—but others left relieved.

A successful board reset positioned the organization for its next growth stage.

Questions to consider about your own board:

1.     Which phase of growth is your organization in right now?

  • Start-Up/Launch Phase

  • Growth/Oversight Phase

  • Maturity/Institutional Phase

2.     How well do your current board members' skills align with the needs of the phase your organization is in?

3.     How might you facilitate productive conversations with long-term board members about evolving their roles while still honoring their contributions?

4.     What specific strategies could help your board members transition from a "working" to a "governing" mindset without losing their passion?

5.     Is there anyone currently on your board who may not be willing or able to make this shift?

Remember that board evolution isn't just about getting "better" people—it's about having the right people for your current phase. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for your mission is to help long-serving board members find new ways to contribute that match both their interests and your organization's evolving needs.

If your board is struggling with alignment, impact, or engagement, let's talk. This is exactly the kind of transformation I help organizations navigate every day.

Book a call with me and let's get your board working at their highest level.

Beth Wonson