Is it your Board Chair… or the fact that you're the Board Chair?

Hey Nonprofit Leader, What’s Keeping You Awake at Night?

Recently, an old colleague called me with a note of panic in his voice. He’d just been elected Board Chair of a nonprofit and confessed, “I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing.”

My first instinct? Pour a stiff drink. My second? Write this blog.

While I usually speak directly to Executive Directors (because let’s face it, you’re the ones regularly losing sleep), this week’s insomnia spotlight shines on the Board Chair. Yes, you—the brave soul who either raised your hand enthusiastically, got voted in while you were in the bathroom, or were simply too slow to say no.

So, what exactly is the role of a Board Chair? Let me break it down.

Who’s Steering the Ship?

The Chair's primary role is to preside over Board meetings, keep the rest of the Board in their lane, and most importantly—support the Executive Director. This isn’t a dictatorship, a therapy session, or an improv class. It’s leadership with a compass.

The ED and the Chair should work together to create the Board agenda. I've seen some organizations where the Chair hogs the agenda like it's their personal TED Talk, and others where the ED writes it solo. But the healthiest approach? Collaboration. Think of it as a three-legged race—more on that in a bit.

Robert’s Rules Are Your Friend

Now, let’s talk meetings. A good Chair knows how to run an efficient Board meeting. That means no “bird walks” into off-topic territory. No passionate tangents about the napkin colors at last year’s gala. (Yes, Gary, we remember.)

And while Robert’s Rules of Order might sound like something from the dusty archives, they’re actually there to help. They ensure everyone has a voice—not just the extroverts who treat meetings like open mic night. The Chair must create space for the quieter members too—especially before votes or on controversial issues. Ask them directly. They have thoughts; they just don’t want to elbow their way in.

Own the Boardroom

The Board is the Chair’s domain. That means you’re the one keeping tabs on who shows up, who participates, who forgot to buy their gala ticket, and who’s ghosting the mission. (P.S. Please tell me your bylaws include an attendance clause.)

If a Director is crossing boundaries—dipping into day-to-day operations or playing ED-for-a-day—it’s the Chair’s job to address it, not the Executive Director’s. It’s also your job to distribute responsibilities evenly. That means one person (usually the same eager hand-raiser) shouldn’t be doing everything.

Committees and Task Forces (and Delegation, Oh My!)

The Chair doesn’t do all the work—but ensures it gets done. Strong committees (with clear terms of reference!) are vital. Task forces can be deployed for special projects. But it’s the Chair’s job to oversee it all, make smart assignments, and keep tabs without micromanaging.

Support the ED: It’s Not Optional

This is the heart of the role. A great Chair supports the Executive Director—not as a puppet master or a passive bystander, but as a true partner. The best analogy I’ve found is the three-legged race at a company picnic: the only way to avoid falling flat is to move in sync.

Mutual trust. Regular communication. A united front. That’s what keeps the organization moving forward—and its leaders sleeping soundly.

How This Blog Got Its Name…

Ever wonder where “Hey Nonprofit Leader, What’s Keeping You Awake at Night?” came from?

I served as Board Chair of an independent school with monthly Board meetings and a week full of committee calls beforehand. At the end of that marathon week, I’d meet with the Headmaster (our ED) for a 1:1 chat. And I always asked him:“What’s keeping you awake at night?”

That single question opened the door to meaningful, candid conversations—beyond the agenda items and bullet points. It revealed the challenges, the stressors, and sometimes, the hidden victories.

So, if you’re a Board Chair, I challenge you to start your next conversation with your ED by asking that question. And listen.

You might just become the kind of Chair that nonprofit leaders dream about… not the one they lose sleep over.

PS: If Robert’s Rules still feel like Latin to you, I have an easy-to-read “cheat sheet.” Shoot me an email. I’ll hook you up—no gavel required.

PS #2: New Chair? Seasoned pro? Still wondering what you signed up for? Call me. Because Googling “how to run a Board meeting” can only take you so far.