Best Practices for Management of Friends Boards

Sponsored by Friends of Libraries Section (FLS)

Tuesday, March 20
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Regardless of the size of a Friends group, if the organization has achieved 501(c)(3) status, there are specific accountabilities the Friends officers must meet to keep the organization legally viable.  In this review of nonprofit boards’ legal and fiduciary duties, an attorney from the Pro Bono Partnership will explain ways to provide the best oversight possible for the organization, keeping Friends groups functioning effectively and using their charitable resources appropriately in support of their library.  Recent changes to the New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act of 2013 affect the day-to-day operations of the Friends, including transacting business by the Board, conflict of interest policies, and more.  Learn what documents should be kept in your board book, how technology can and cannot be used to conduct board business, and practical strategies for more effective meetings.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify and apply the essential legal and fiduciary responsibilities of nonprofit boards
  2. Recognize the effect of recent changes to NYS laws governing nonprofits and be able to implement organizational changes in order to be in compliance
  3. Hold effective Board meetings for Friends organizations by applying the best practices addressed in the webinar
  4. Determine standard operating procedures for updating by-laws and handling other management issues for nonprofits

Contents of a Board Book | Acknowledging Donations | Slides

Presenters:

Courtney Darts is an attorney with the Pro Bono Partnership which provides business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations including libraries and their Friends groups in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.  Courtney was appointed the organization’s first Legal Director in October 2017.  She oversees the Partnership’s legal program, educational workshops, publications, and internship program. She also provides direct legal services to nonprofits in New York and Connecticut, focusing on nonprofit, tax-exempt, and corporate governance matters.

Prior to becoming Legal Director, Courtney was Director of Education and Staff Attorney at the Partnership for several years. Before joining Pro Bono Partnership, she was in private practice with Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and was a member of the Stein Scholars Program in Public Interest Law at Fordham. Courtney is admitted to the bar in Connecticut and New York. She is a graduate of Fairfield University and Fordham University School of Law. She also serves on the board of directors of Search for Change in Valhalla, New York