Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Deb Macfarlan Enright, Ed.D., who highlights her new book, “Board to Death: Transform Your Nonprofit Board into a Strategic Catalyst for Change.” Deb discusses her background working with nonprofits from various perspectives, including serving on boards and as a consultant. She explains that her new book addresses the gap in literature about board member experience and strategic engagement. The book aims to help CEOs, executive directors, board chairs, nonprofit board members, and aspiring board members understand their roles and contribute effectively to nonprofit missions.
Deb shares how the book provides a strategic playbook for nonprofit boards across different organizational maturity levels from startup to legacy phases. She emphasizes the importance of intentional board recruitment, clear terms of service, and preparation for effective meetings. The book aims to help organizations treat board seats as strategic assets rather than just charitable obligations, with Deb encouraging readers to view nonprofits as businesses working to achieve mission impact. Deb shares a number of helpful tips for board recruitment strategies, accountability measures, meeting effectiveness, and the importance of matching board members’ skills with organizational needs based on different nonprofit maturity levels. Deb emphasizes that board seats are “priceless” assets that require strategic intentionality in recruitment and management, while also highlighting the personal and professional development benefits for board members.
Order “Board to Death: Transform Your Nonprofit Board into a Strategic Catalyst for Change” by emailing info@juxtabook.com. Connect with Deb directly at bookboardtodeath@gmail.com.
