Strategic thinking and strategic planning are critical to an organization's success. It is at the core of the Board of Directors (BODs) and Executive Directors(EDs) in building and maintaining good governance. EDs of nonprofit organizations (NPOs), more than not is the leading role in the developing strategic planning and the BODs role is to engage in the developing process of the plan, evaluate and approve the plan. It is vital that the EDs engage and communicate with the board how their perspective can contribute to the improvement of the plan and have an in-depth discussing of the benefits of the plan with internal and external stakeholders. Strategic planning embarks on the board members to think strategic …show more content…
This plan should include defined steps and the EDs needs to explain to the board how these steps come together and taking this action will create a visualized picture of the plan in the minds of the members. Bryson (cited by Hu, Kapucu, & O'Byrne 2014) argue that strategic planning is extremely helpful in the decision- making process when the right steps are included in the plan that guides what an organization is, what it does, and why. It is essential for EDs to be mindful of the amount of time, place and resources that will be needed in implementing the …show more content…
It is every board member responsibility to be knowledgeable about the goals and mission and issues the organization faces. The Executive Directors (EDs) and individual board members of an NPOs more times than not assume the roles as ambassadors, advocates, and community representatives in fulfilling their stewardship commitments in gaining and maintaining the public's trust (Kendall; Wolf, as cited in Aulgur, 2016). One of the many skills during the recruitment process that the board looks for in potential candidates are their skill-set in communication and having strong ties to their community. How the EDs and board members convey information shape the public perception of the overall organization. Hallahan, Holshausen, van Ruler, Verčič, and Sriramesh (2007) argue that Public Relations is considered as strategic communication, and this type of communication is used by leaders to build and maintain beneficial relationships, not limited to internal and external stakeholders, community leaders, and government officials. Also, when leaders are faced with post-crisis situations, effective communication can repair the damaged of the reputation of the organization (Coombs & Holladay, cited by Mahoney