The CPO has better access to information than the board by virtue of working in the organization full-time. He or she serves as a gatekeeper and can control much of the information flow. The CPO may unduly influence board decisions if the board is not alert. Bowen argues that nonprofit boards need to be less supine than many have been, and that a healthy, friendly tension is appropriate between the CPO and the board. Drucker notes that traditionally nonprofit boards ran their organization in a hands-on fashion, or at least tried to.
More nonprofit organizations have a paid professional director today.
However, the board may still try to do the organization's staff's job. Boards tend to do this because directors care deeply about the organization's mission. Also, they have a financial interest. Corporate board members earn supplemental income for serving. Nonprofit board members generally are expected to contribute money and bring other donors in through their contacts.