Vicki’s op-ed, “Nonprofit Boards: Yes, We Have a Problem,” was published in the Santa Fe New Mexican this month.
In it she responds to an earlier piece (“The Pleasures and Perils of Nonprofit Board Service in Santa Fe”) that explores the unique problems Santa Fe arts nonprofits face when it comes to the revolving door of executive directors and board dysfunction.
Here’s an excerpt:
It’s time for a new generation of leadership and for nonprofits to embrace practicing new leadership models in Santa Fe. EDs are often working against stifling power dynamics (read: white supremacy and patriarchy issues — board egos, deep pockets, power holders) in isolation, unable to go to their staff with their challenges, and certainly not able to move their board toward more equitable practices.
In our 12 years of consulting work with nonprofits, we are not happy to report that a large number of New Mexico-based executive directors resigned from their positions, citing board challenges as the main driver in this decision. We are exploring how to support boards through a community of practice in 2024 rooted in how to share power, how to provide oversight and share responsibilities with the executive director and staff, exploring new models like minimally viable boards, and other ways to help board members and boards as a whole provide the support needed to not lead to staff burnout.
