Basic Structure of a Non-profit

There are a variety of positions held in a successful non-profit. Work must be delegated to different groups to be efficient. Not all non-profits will have the same amount of members, but it is important to note that in order to be effective, it will take a lot more than just one person. A basic run down of the structure of a typical non-profit is as follows:

1. Volunteers- These are some of the most important people to a non-profit. They help the organization carry out its daily operations and goals. Without them, it would be very difficult to achieve goals because of the cost of normal labor.

2. Clients- These people are the ones who use the services of the organization. For example, if there is a non-profit women's clinic, women seeking treatment are the clients.

3. Board- The board is made up of people that have come together to achieve the missions of the non-profit and are ultimately responsible for it. They have complete power over the organization. However, in a nonprofit board, they do not receive payment for their work and are considered volunteers.

4. Committees- These are groups of people that carry out specific functions for the board. It usually consists of one or more board members plus other members to assist them. They are generally used to assist with issues that the board can not handle or carry out on their own.

5. Staff- A group of people designed to support the committees and follow the executive director's duties.

6. Board Chair- This is a single individual responsible for coordinating activities between the various groups of the non-profit. It is primarily a leadership and persuasive role.

7. Executive Director- This person is responsible for the work of the committees and staff, and the major role is to perform the board's desires.

Obviously, there are a number of roles in a non-profit. It is important to have a structured plan for members and how each individual will help the organization achieve its goals. It helps eliminate overwhelming duties by having other members assist "higher-up" members. Having a well structured organization can mean the loss or achievement of its mission and its dire to have good organization for efficiency.

For a more detailed explanation of duties check out the following site:
http://www.managementhelp.org/org_thry/np_thry/np_intro.htm#anchor249619