Best Practices for Whom? A Critical Analysis on Racial Equity and Board Governance Principles of Nonprofit Sector Membership Organizations
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Doctoral)
Major/Field of Study
Public Administration
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0231-5121
Advisor Information
Jodi Benenson, Associate Professor of Public Administration
Location
CEC RM #201/205/209
Presentation Type
Poster
Poster Size
48*36
Start Date
22-3-2024 10:30 AM
End Date
22-3-2024 11:45 AM
Abstract
Nonprofit sector membership organizations play a significant role in promoting nonprofit board governance and other professional conduct. Understanding institutional isomorphism and the influences of sector membership organizations is necessary, especially considering the potential consequences the recommended "best practices" and guidance can bring to nonprofit boards. A critical examination of the "best practices" and guidance from the nonprofit sector membership organizations can generate new knowledge about board governance norms and standards in practice. This examination is essential as the field continues to face racial and social equity challenges (Jung et al., 2021; Mumford, 2022). This study investigates the racial equity consequences of mimicking and professionalizing nonprofit organizations through a review of sector membership organizations' board governance advice. Using critical discourse and interest convergence analysis on the guides from two sector membership organizations, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (Minnesota) and the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (Nebraska), the study findings suggest that themes such as professionalization, centrality on the dominant culture, and race neutrality exist within the text. This close and critical review of the suggested best practices in board governance is needed to understand who these "best" practices serve. This research contributes to the field by extending the understanding of nonprofit board governance, specifically the unintentional consequences that sector membership organizations' resources create.
Best Practices for Whom? A Critical Analysis on Racial Equity and Board Governance Principles of Nonprofit Sector Membership Organizations
CEC RM #201/205/209
Nonprofit sector membership organizations play a significant role in promoting nonprofit board governance and other professional conduct. Understanding institutional isomorphism and the influences of sector membership organizations is necessary, especially considering the potential consequences the recommended "best practices" and guidance can bring to nonprofit boards. A critical examination of the "best practices" and guidance from the nonprofit sector membership organizations can generate new knowledge about board governance norms and standards in practice. This examination is essential as the field continues to face racial and social equity challenges (Jung et al., 2021; Mumford, 2022). This study investigates the racial equity consequences of mimicking and professionalizing nonprofit organizations through a review of sector membership organizations' board governance advice. Using critical discourse and interest convergence analysis on the guides from two sector membership organizations, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (Minnesota) and the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (Nebraska), the study findings suggest that themes such as professionalization, centrality on the dominant culture, and race neutrality exist within the text. This close and critical review of the suggested best practices in board governance is needed to understand who these "best" practices serve. This research contributes to the field by extending the understanding of nonprofit board governance, specifically the unintentional consequences that sector membership organizations' resources create.