{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"149: Um, Actually... | How Many Times Should a Nonprofit Board of Directors Meet?","description":"If your board hasn\u2019t met in ten months, that\u2019s not just awkward \u2014 it\u2019s a big problem. In this episode, Meghan and I dive into a basic (but often overlooked) part of nonprofit governance: how often a board needs to meet, and what happens when it doesn\u2019t. Real Listener Question: \u201cMy wife joined the board of a small arts nonprofit, but they haven\u2019t met once in ten months. The executive director sends quarterly updates by email \u2014 that\u2019s it. Is that legal?\u201d A board that never meets isn\u2019t really a board \u2014 it\u2019s a liability. Meghan and I talk about what state laws and bylaws actually require, what fiduciary duties board members are neglecting when they don\u2019t meet, and how to raise the issue without making enemies. We also unpack what counts as a real \u201cmeeting,\u201d why email updates don\u2019t cut it, and what to do if you\u2019re stuck on a board that\u2019s asleep at the wheel. What You'll Learn:  The bare minimum number of meetings a board should have each year Why your bylaws matter more than you think What fiduciary duties mean \u2014 and how ignoring them puts you at risk Why a one-way email is not a valid board meeting How to raise governance concerns without burning bridges When (and how) to walk away from a dysfunctional board  Bottom line: If your board isn\u2019t meeting, it\u2019s not leading. You can\u2019t fulfill your fiduciary duties by inbox \u2014 and sometimes, the bravest move is to speak up or step out. Resources from this Episode  Learn about fiduciary duties here: https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/cornerstone-content\/what-does-it-mean-to-be-nonprofit-board-member\/ Previous Episode: When Nonprofits Should (Or Shouldn't!) Use PEOs for Their HR with Jess Holst: https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/charity-therapy-podcast\/ct148\/ Episode Transcript:  https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/CT149_Trasncript.pdf  Connect with Us  Jess Birken: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jessbirken\/ Meghan Heitkamp: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/meghan-heitkamp-829254115\/  Listen &amp;amp; Engage  Listen on  Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  YouTube |  Amazon Music Rate &amp;amp; Review on  Apple Podcasts: Click &quot;Ratings and Reviews&quot; then &quot;Write a Review&quot; Send us your nonprofit questions: https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/podcast\/#podcast-story &amp;nbsp;  Stay Connected  Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/signup\/ &amp;nbsp; Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter  ","author_name":"Charity Therapy","author_url":"https:\/\/charitytherapy.show\/beon","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/38596920\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/194257225"}