--- title: BoardSource Blog - The Leader in Nonprofit Board Governance | BoardSource description: Nonprofit governance blog devoted to best practices and committed to inspiring nonprofit board service --- ![Blog-0216.jpg](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog_photos/Blog-0216.jpg?width=1400&name=Blog-0216.jpg "Blog-0216.jpg") [![Blog-header-logo.png](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog_photos/Blog-header-logo.png?width=360&name=Blog-header-logo.png "Blog-header-logo.png")](https://boardsource.org) [Back to blog homepage](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog) ## BoardSource [![CLA BoardSource Webinar Panelists](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/CLA%20webinar.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/key-takeaways-from-the-cla-boardsource-webinar) ## [Nose In, Fingers Out: Key Takeaways from the CLA BoardSource Webinar](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/key-takeaways-from-the-cla-boardsource-webinar) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Aug 12, 2026, 11:00:00 AM Effective board governance is rarely a one-size-fits-all formula. It is an evolving practice that requires the right context, a clear understanding of roles, and a commitment to keeping the organization’s purpose and mission at the center of every conversation. On June 18, 2026, sector experts... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/key-takeaways-from-the-cla-boardsource-webinar) [![](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/COI_Blog_Image.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/is-it-time-to-dust-off-your-nonprofits-conflict-of-interest-policy) ## [Conflict of Interest Policy: Definition, Examples & Template](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/is-it-time-to-dust-off-your-nonprofits-conflict-of-interest-policy) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Mar 4, 2026, 9:45:00 AM A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal interests could improperly influence their decisions. In nonprofits, conflicts of interest can involve financial relationships, family connections, or other personal interests that may compromise the organization’s integrity. Every... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/is-it-time-to-dust-off-your-nonprofits-conflict-of-interest-policy) Topics: [Conflict of Interest](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/conflict-of-interest) [![Board members supporting executive as partners](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Images%20600x400%20(2).png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/unleashing-the-superpowers-of-executives) ## [Unleashing the Superpowers of Executives: How Boards Can Help Us Soar](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/unleashing-the-superpowers-of-executives) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Oct 30, 2025, 10:15:00 AM **By Monika Kalra Varma, CEO, BoardSource and Jamie Allison, Executive Director, Walter & Elise Haas Fund** We are living in a time of profound change and complexity.Maintaining community safety nets, advancing justice, expanding opportunity, and centering and honoring the dignity of all is more... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/unleashing-the-superpowers-of-executives) Topics: [board-chief executive partnership](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-chief-executive-partnership), [Purpose-Driven Board Leadership](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/purpose-driven-board-leadership) [![Nonprofit board committee meeting](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/Copy%20of%20Blog%20Images%20600x400.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/a-risk-and-resilience-checklist-for-purpose-driven-boards) ## [A Risk and Resilience Checklist for Purpose-Driven Boards](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/a-risk-and-resilience-checklist-for-purpose-driven-boards) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Sep 11, 2025, 10:00:00 AM Preview a checklist tool for nonprofit boards seeking to govern with clarity, confidence, and purpose in an uncertain environment. [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/a-risk-and-resilience-checklist-for-purpose-driven-boards) Topics: [Purpose-Driven Board Leadership](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/purpose-driven-board-leadership) [![Nonprofit board committee meeting](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/Part%202%20July%202025.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/beginners-guide-to-nonprofit-board-service-part-2) ## [Beginner’s Guide to Nonprofit Board Service - Part 2](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/beginners-guide-to-nonprofit-board-service-part-2) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Aug 19, 2025, 11:00:00 AM You’ve begunserving on a nonprofit board, now what? What are some annual actions board members need to be aware of to fulfill their roles & responsibilities? In case you missed it, [Part 1 of Beginner’s Guide to Nonprofit Board Service](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/beginners-guide-to-nonprofit-board-service) includes a broad overview of a board member’s basic roles and... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/beginners-guide-to-nonprofit-board-service-part-2) Topics: [Emerging Leaders](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/emerging-leaders) [![Nonprofit board leaders looking to get started in board service](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/christina-wocintechchat-com-YCrgxs3e9lY-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/beginners-guide-to-nonprofit-board-service) ## [Beginner’s Guide to Nonprofit Board Service - Part 1](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/beginners-guide-to-nonprofit-board-service) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Aug 7, 2025, 11:15:00 AM You're new to board service and ready to make a meaningful impact—but where do you start? Discover the essentials of serving on a nonprofit board and how you can contribute to an organization’s mission and purpose. [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/beginners-guide-to-nonprofit-board-service) Topics: [Emerging Leaders](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/emerging-leaders) [![Board Chair Fostering Board Engagement](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/Alt%201.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/how-board-chairs-foster-board-engagement) ## [How Board Chairs Foster Board Engagement](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/how-board-chairs-foster-board-engagement) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Jun 3, 2025, 11:15:00 AM Successful organizations have engaged boards with members who are passionate about the organization’s mission and collective purpose, ask challenging questions, make informed decisions, collaborate with each other, and promote the organization and its work to their networks. Yet board engagement... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/how-board-chairs-foster-board-engagement) Topics: [Meetings](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/meetings), [Board Chair](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-chair), [board engagement](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-engagement) [![](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/Community%20Conversations%20March%202025.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/what-we-learned-from-community-conversations) ## [What We Learned from Our Recent Community Conversations](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/what-we-learned-from-community-conversations) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Apr 15, 2025, 10:41:03 AM BoardSource recently hosted a Community Conversations event in Washington D.C. with leaders who serve on nonprofit boards. During the conversations, we heard what’s working well and what challenges are top of mind for these leaders. We imagine some of these issues are not unique to these leaders... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/what-we-learned-from-community-conversations) Topics: [Roles and Responsibilities](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/roles-and-responsibilities), [Recruitment](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/recruitment), [Fundraising](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/fundraising) [![Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund Board Members](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/SV2%20Board%20Members.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/embracing-purpose) ## [Embracing Purpose: A Journey Forward with an Equity Mindset](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/embracing-purpose) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Dec 12, 2024, 2:00:00 PM Inspired by Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund's purpose-driven approach, BoardSource President and CEO Monika Kalra Varma and David Onek sat down for a [virtual fireside chat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDmJp2NNUKs&t=2306s) to explore insights on the practicalities and the possibilities of operationalizing PDBL principles within their... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/embracing-purpose) Topics: [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/boardsource), [Purpose-Driven Board Leadership](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/purpose-driven-board-leadership) [![Background checks](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/shutterstock_582993085.jpg)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/considerations-background-checks) ## [Considerations of Background Checks for Nonprofit Board Members](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/considerations-background-checks) Posted by [BoardSource](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource) on Aug 15, 2023, 11:30:00 AM Criminal background checks are one way for nonprofit organizations to protect themselves, their assets, and the people they serve, but they may not be right for every organization. Ensuring resources is a role of the board, in addition to setting direction for the organization and providing... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/considerations-background-checks) Topics: [Roles and Responsibilities](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/roles-and-responsibilities) [All posts](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/all) [Next](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/boardsource/page/2) ### Recent Posts Search this site on Google Search BoardSource   1050 Connecticut Ave NW, PO Box 65001  Washington,  DC   20036   US [![14](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/14.png?width=37&height=37&name=14.png)](https://www.facebook.com/BoardSource/)  [![15](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/15.png?width=37&height=37&name=15.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/boardsource) [![13](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/13.png?width=37&height=37&name=13.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/BoardSourceVideo) [Privacy Policy](https://boardsource.org/privacy-policy/)     |     [Acceptable Use](https://boardsource.org/terms-of-use/) © Copyright BoardSource