There is a learning curve involved in being treasurer for a multi-faceted CDC, and an assistant treasurer is more likely to be able to step in than someone who has only been a general board member. In many CDCs, strategic decisions are made by the executive director, with input from the board. That equation should be reversed. Boards should do the strategic planning, with staff input. Lots of organizations die from making poor strategic decisions, says George Knight, former executive director of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.
Private companies fail from taking the wrong strategic path, too.
Maybe even nations. That s why strategic decisions should be the top concern of a CDC board. CDC boards are typically composed of community residents, business and civic leaders and outside professionals. Sometimes boards conflict with staff or try to micromanage. Other boards ossify.