Start an Associate Board

We're thinking about an associate board. Where do we start?

Check the support before you recruit.

The guide asks for a written purpose, a governing board sponsor and approval path, a named staff owner with protected time, and safeguarding and compliance coverage for the work members will do.

For anything unresolved, name the next action, its owner and a date. Review the decision with your executive sponsor.

Next, set the expectations: what members will contribute, who decides what, and how the group works with staff.

Before recruiting, set a budget, identify founding leaders and agree on realistic financial expectations. Plan the review for twelve months after authorization.

Build those choices into an authorization packet. The guide recommends that your governing board approve the resolution, charter, member agreement and policies together. Keep the associate board's authority clear: it cannot bind the nonprofit. Ask counsel to review the packet.

After approval, recruit, orient and give members useful work. Twelve months after authorization, review whether to continue, redesign, pause or close.

Get Start an Associate Board, its fillable toolkit and editable templates on CariClub Stream.

General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.