Accountability: Who Shoulders the Responsibility?

I just had lunch with a friend who was remarking that there is no accountability for elected officials. He was, of course, currently fixated on the presidential elections. Promises get made, plans unfold, then nothing happens, nobody knows why, everybody and anybody else is to blame -- and, then, we start the cycle all over again!


Well, fortunately, our client base is exclusively focused on non-profit organizations. So, how does accountability work for non-profits? Two specific scenarios come to mind:

1. At the Staff level, it is important that the executive director understand Authority, Responsibility, and Accountability and take ownership of all three. Since the staff reports to the executive director and the executive director reports to the board, then accountability to the board for daily operations is always the responsibility of the executive director. As in most organizations of any size, the executive director may/must/could/should delegate to staff members under his/her direction. But, it should be clearly communicated that Authority requires Responsibility and, ultimately, Accountability. Within the government sector and the private sector, many people believe Accountability seems to be in shorter and shorter supply. Let's work toward a level of excellence in the non-profit sector that is worthy of following!

2. At the Board level, Accountability can become very elusive. What volunteer board chair, board member, or committee chair wants to be held 'accountable' (or 'responsible') for results gone awry? Well, certainly nobody wants to shoulder this burden but, should it occur, he or she must. Why? Because it's the right thing to do. After all, the board position was either elected or appointed and the board is accountable to its membership (for example).

Here's the deal: only in very, very rare situations will anything go so astray that it cannot be fixed by a group of well-intentioned folks working together. Accordingly, executive directors and board chairs need to understand their Authority, fulfill their Responsibility, and never hesitate to be held Accountable for anything that goes awry.

It's amazing what a group of humble servants, clearly focused, and committed to a cause greater than themselves, can accomplish when there is no 'blame game' and the level of personal leadership is so deeply instilled that there is no need to to shirk from Accountability.

Want to know more? That's our mission. Please visit www.centergea.com.