The Board Speaks With One Voice

When a non-profit board is being developed and new members added, there is excitement to embrace the diverse perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders. But having many different voices at the table can sometimes make it challenging for a board to make decisions.

If a board doesn’t understand how to make decisions, the differing opinions can lead to fighting, gossip, and fractures to the board team. Board members will begin to wonder how they can ever come to an agreement. There are two principals that will make non-profit board decision making easier to understand: learning the one voice rule and learning how many voices can contribute to one final decision.

How does a board speak with one voice?

Think of the board as a ship. Individual board members provide their expertise and skills to suggest where the ship should sail, BUT, if the ship sailed in each individual preferred direction, it would likely zig zag through the water. To set a strong forward direction for the ship to sail, there needs to be a process to turn all the individual ideas into one final decision. That process is the discussion, vote, and final decision, made at a board meeting, that becomes the board speaking with one voice.

The board ‘speaks with one voice’ is a term that means the power of a board lies with the board as a group and not with individual board members.

The board ‘speaks with one voice’ is a term that means the power of a board lies with the board as a group and not with individual board members.

How is a board decision made?

When board action is needed, a healthy board will hold a discussion at a board meeting. Upon completion of the discussion a vote will be called, and a final decision will be announced.

An item would appear on the agenda for a meeting, and board members would provide their input during a discussion. Board members might even seek outside advice or reference on specific details about the topic. Then a vote is called, and the voting majority makes the decision. That one final decision is the board speaking with one voice.

What happens if someone disagrees?

Boards are made up of many people and disagreements are normal. That’s why voting is so important.

During the discussion prior to a vote, board members would be given an opportunity to present their views and in doing so, try to convince the other board members to hold the same opinion. Disagreement is allowed and would be expected.

Voting ensures those board members who speak perhaps a little too loudly, do not get to make all the decisions. Each board member holds the same power, one vote, and can cast that vote as they choose. They may even choose to vote against what is being proposed by pushier board members.

What happens if the vote is a tie, or the decision defeated?

Usually, a tie is considered a defeated motion because it did not win a majority, but this may vary as per a board’s policy.

Some board members might become upset when a motion is defeated, especially if the matter was very important to them. They are still expected to respect the majority decision and typically not allowed to actively work against a decision made by the majority of the board. Why? Because the board speaks with one voice.

Does the one voice principal mean everyone has to agree? NO. Does the one voice principal mean only the loudest voices make the decisions? NO.

What happens if it’s between meetings and a decision is needed on short notice? Can’t the Chair just decide?

This can be tricky, and some boards create short cuts that blatantly ignore the one voice rule.

No individual board member, or board committee, can make decisions between meetings. Why? Because the board speaks with one voice.

Decisions are made by the voting majority at a legally called board meeting. If there is a decision needed between meetings, then a board meeting needs to be called to deal with the matter.

In a world of conference calls and video meetings, there really is no reason a board can’t get together, even on short notice, to make a decision.

What happens if one board member repeatedly disregards a majority decision and does her own thing?

This happens more than most boards care to admit. When a rogue board member is allowed to continue making unilateral decisions, the board is no longer speaking with one voice. The board will need to address this behaviour and either bring the member in line or remove her from the board.

Why? Because a board speaks with one voice.

Individual board members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board table but don’t hold any authority on their own. It is the board, the governing body of the non-profit, that holds the authority. While a board will often be made up of a diverse collection of stakeholders, it is important to remember that all those different voices are there to inform the collective discussion. When a vote is called and a final decision made, it is that one decision that is the board’s one voice.

The success of the one voice principal means the power of a board lies with the board as a group and not with individual board members. Diversity and a healthy discussion should always be encouraged and supported so that when the board makes its decision, it is an informed and educated one.

How can you make the one voice rule a reality at your non-profit?

1. Understand that one voice does not mean everyone agrees. In fact, it will be rare that a vote will be unanimous. Come to understand that one voice means the collective voice of the board as a group.
2. At the next board meeting, take a moment to observe how decisions are really made. You might be surprised. Maybe your board is already a one voice board. If not, it might be time for a hearty discussion about the one voice rule.
3. Finally, and this is a tough one, but if your non-profit board has members who are ignoring the one voice rule, it is time to clean house. Ask rogue board members to step down and seek out new board members who demonstrate they can be a team player.

When a non-profit board wants to ensure they are making the best decisions for the organization, they will seek out a diversity of opinions, but will always respect the final vote and the one voice rule.

Thanks for taking the time to read my ideas. My mission is to take the mystery out of running a small non-profit. If you know someone who needs to read this, why not grab the link, and share it with them. Let’s work together to make board decision making informed and strong.

-Christie

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Hi, I'm Christie Saas, former board member, current Executive Director, and non-profit volunteer. I remember well, those early years when I lacked the training, the confidence, and the work-life balance to focus on becoming the best non-profit leader I could be.

Fast-forward past many bumps in the road, lessons learned, and you’ll find me still in the trenches, but a little wiser, a little calmer, and a whole lot happier. I love my work and I want to help you love yours too.

I created ChristieSaas.com to give you tools, tips, and templates to remove the mystery of learning to run a small non-profit. If you’re a brand-new non-profit leader, or a little more seasoned, someone who’s looking to make a meaningful contribution and still have time for a full life away from the job, you’re in the right place.

© Christie Saas 2022 All Rights Reserved

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