How To Make Board Mentoring Work
July 4, 2026
Using board mentors or board buddies can be an excellent way to get new board members engaged and to help them feel included. To get
Welcome to Hardy Smith’s blog, where he shares experience and insight learned through decades in the corporate world and advocating on behalf of nonprofits and associations across America.
Hardy’s mission is to help maximize the performance of nonprofits and associations and their essential leadership teams.
If you’re seeking to triumph over communication challenges, bring meaningful and manageable solutions to, and realize measurable results of your organization, this blog will give you more than ideas — it will maximize your team’s performance like never before.
Using board mentors or board buddies can be an excellent way to get new board members engaged and to help them feel included. To get
Two Gaps Affecting Nonprofit Governance ( My article was originally published at https://www.uschamber.com/chambers-of-commerce by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Organization Management. Republished with permission.) Shortcomings in
UnFunkt is a fun, attention grabbing title of speaker colleague Jaime Marco’s book. However, it is definitely a book with a serious message. For nonprofit
How can nonprofit organizations create a culture of accountability—one where commitments made in the boardroom actually translate into meaningful action? Leaders of nonprofits, chambers of
What causes disconnection of nonprofit board members? In my interview with Jeff Stratton, editor of Wiley Publication’s “Board and Administrator,” I addressed a challenge that
In my Chamber Pros Online Conference interview with host Frank Kenny , we explored one of the most persistent frustrations chamber, association, and nonprofit executives
(This article is based on lessons from my book, Stop The Nonprofit Board Blame Game, and was originally published by (ACCE) Association of Chamber of
During a crisis, it’s critical to make sure your nonprofit’s board is fully engaged. A crisis is not an excuse for a board to ignore
What are mission moments and how can they be used for developing stronger connections with board members? While reading Brian Quail’s book, The Ultimate Guide
(I originally wrote this article for publication in Jeffrey Magee’s Professional Performance Magazine) Why don’t board members do what they’re supposed to do? If you’re
Using board mentors or board buddies can be an excellent way to get new board members engaged and to help them feel included. To get
Two Gaps Affecting Nonprofit Governance ( My article was originally published at https://www.uschamber.com/chambers-of-commerce by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Organization Management. Republished with permission.) Shortcomings in
UnFunkt is a fun, attention grabbing title of speaker colleague Jaime Marco’s book. However, it is definitely a book with a serious message. For nonprofit
How can nonprofit organizations create a culture of accountability—one where commitments made in the boardroom actually translate into meaningful action? Leaders of nonprofits, chambers of
What causes disconnection of nonprofit board members? In my interview with Jeff Stratton, editor of Wiley Publication’s “Board and Administrator,” I addressed a challenge that
In my Chamber Pros Online Conference interview with host Frank Kenny , we explored one of the most persistent frustrations chamber, association, and nonprofit executives
(This article is based on lessons from my book, Stop The Nonprofit Board Blame Game, and was originally published by (ACCE) Association of Chamber of
During a crisis, it’s critical to make sure your nonprofit’s board is fully engaged. A crisis is not an excuse for a board to ignore
What are mission moments and how can they be used for developing stronger connections with board members? While reading Brian Quail’s book, The Ultimate Guide
(I originally wrote this article for publication in Jeffrey Magee’s Professional Performance Magazine) Why don’t board members do what they’re supposed to do? If you’re
