How to Develop a Board of Directors for a Nonprofit in Texas

A board of directors is a requirement for the operation of a Texas nonprofit entity. This elected group serves as the governance of your organization in everything from finances to the nonprofit’s mission.

Electing the right personalities to your board of directors is essential for your organization’s success. This guide will help you select your first board or grow an established board to better serve your nonprofit.

Check out our other guides for a look at how to form a nonprofit organization or how to select a board of directors in other states.

Recommended: Northwest can help form your nonprofit for you for $29 + state fees.

Star Rating 5 out of 5

Start your business for $29 with Northwest

  • Formation and FREE registered agent services for your first year
  • Best privacy protection and customer service

Form Your Nonprofit

Texas Board of Directors Requirements

The Texas Business Organizations Code, Section 22.001, defines a nonprofit board of directors as:

(1) “Board of directors” means the group of persons vested with the management of the affairs of the corporation, regardless of the name used to designate the group.

The number of required directors on the board is laid out in Section 22.204:

(a) If the corporation has a board of directors, a corporation may not have fewer than three directors. The number of directors shall be set by, or in the manner provided by, the certificate of formation or bylaws of the corporation, except that the number of directors on the initial board of directors must be set by the certificate of formation.

(b) The number of directors may be increased or decreased by amendment to, or in the manner provided by, the certificate of formation or bylaws. A decrease in the number of directors may not shorten the term of an incumbent director.

(c) In the absence of a provision of the certificate of formation or a bylaw setting the number of directors or providing for the manner in which the number of directors shall be determined, the number of directors is the same as the number constituting the initial board of directors.

Putting It Into Practice

A Texas nonprofit’s board of directors works as a support system for the organization. Its duties include financial management, structural guidance, the hiring of executive directors, and much more. While the board typically isn’t involved in day-to-day operations, it plays an active role in maintaining the well-being of the organization as a whole, its effectiveness, and its financial health.

A 501(c)(3) eligible nonprofit board of directors in Texas MUST:

  • Have at least three board members that are not related to each other
  • Elect the following members: president and secretary

Recommended: Read our full guide on How to Start a Nonprofit in Texas.

What Is the Function of the Board of Directors?

The Business Organizations Code, Section 22.203 briefly establishes the role of the board of directors in the following manner:

[T]he affairs of a corporation are managed by a board of directors. The board of directors may be designated by any name appropriate to the customs, usages, or tenets of the corporation.

Putting It Into Practice

Before forming your Texas nonprofit’s board of directors, it’s important to understand the role this group plays in the success of your organization. The general responsibilities of a board include:

  1. Enforcing the Organization’s Mission and Purpose: The foundation of any nonprofit is its mission so a board’s chief task involves upholding that mission as well as the organization’s purpose.
  2. Hiring a CEO/Executive Director: While your board of directors plays an instrumental role in the success and effectiveness of your nonprofit, it doesn’t participate in the daily operations. That makes it vital for the board to hire a CEO or executive director who will provide effective, day-to-day leadership.
  3. Incorporating New Members: A board also must source and incorporate new board members capable of effectively upholding the organization’s values.
  4. Assessing the Allocation of Funds: Careful distribution of assets within an organization ensures all areas receive adequate funding and thus supports the success of each aspect of a nonprofit’s mission.
  5. Generating Funds and Ensuring Financial Stability: Alongside verifying the appropriate distribution of funds, the board also has a responsibility to generate more assets to create a solid foundation for the nonprofit’s long-term financial stability.
  6. Supporting and Evaluating the CEO/Executive Director: A nonprofit’s board of directors not only serves as a support system for the CEO/executive director, but also assesses their job performance.
  7. Ensuring the Organization Follows Legal and Ethical Practices: It comes as no surprise that upholding the ethics of a nonprofit is essential to its success in achieving its mission. In this case, the board’s task involves ensuring the organization consistently follows legal and ethical practices across its operations.
  8. Generating a Positive Public Image: Building trust within the community not only attracts private investors, but also develops credibility among community members who may use the services your organization offers.
  9. Acknowledging and Addressing Conflicts of Interest: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires nonprofits to develop a written conflict of interest policy that the organization’s board of directors will enforce. This prevents any board member from using their position in order to serve their personal interests.

Additional Legal Responsibilities

In Texas, a nonprofit’s board of directors also must fulfill certain legal responsibilities. The three most common legal responsibilities of a Texas nonprofit include duty of care, duty of loyalty, and duty of obedience.

  • Duty of Care: At a minimum, board members must attend and participate in meetings. In addition to this, read and review reports, record all actions made during meetings, and review the performance of the CEO or Executive Director.
  • Duty of Loyalty: This involves acknowledging and disclosing any conflicts of interest as well as making decisions that benefit the nonprofit as a whole rather than a single board member.
  • Duty of Obedience: Board members also must ensure the nonprofit adheres to all applicable laws and regulations while operating under the mission and bylaws that form its foundation.

Developing Your First Board of Directors

If you’re still in the process of developing your Texas nonprofit entity, choosing the right board members is key to ensuring the effectiveness and stability of your organization. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

  • Solidify Roles. Designating functional roles for individual board members — outside of your elected officer’s roles — can improve the board’s overall effectiveness and functionality.
  • Develop and Commit to Bylaws. Creating a set of bylaws to uphold the mission of your organization creates a strong foundation to guide board members’ decision-making. In addition, state law may require Texas nonprofits to develop bylaws.
  • Prioritize Your Mission. Another beneficial strategy when choosing board members is to seek candidates with a passion for your organization’s mission and goals.
  • Acknowledge Any Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts of interest will inhibit a board member’s ability to effectively uphold the values and best interests of your organization. That makes it extremely important to assess potential or existing conflicts of interest when evaluating board members for your nonprofit.

Filling Board Vacancies

Vacancies in a Texas nonprofit’s board of directors can be filled according to Section 22.212 of the Business Organizations Code:

(a) Unless otherwise provided by the certificate of formation or bylaws of the corporation, a vacancy in the board of directors of a corporation shall be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining directors, regardless of whether that majority is less than a quorum. A director elected to fill a vacancy is elected for the unexpired term of the member’s predecessor in office.

(b) A vacancy in the board occurring because of an increase in the number of directors shall be filled by election at an annual meeting or at a special meeting of members called for that purpose. If a corporation has no members or has no members with the right to vote on the vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled as provided by the certificate of formation or bylaws.

Putting It Into Practice

When electing new members to your Texas nonprofit’s board of directors, focus on finding individuals dedicated to your organization’s mission. Here are a few tips to consider as you begin your search:

  • Look to Your Volunteers. Volunteers who stand out can make excellent additions to a board of directors. These individuals already dedicate their time and energy to your organization and most likely will bring that same dedication and goodwill to your board.
  • Explore Candidates Among Loyal Donors. Donors represent another group to consider when electing new board members because they create the financial foundation for your organization. That means they have a track record of dedicating time and money to ensuring the success and sustainability of your nonprofit.
  • Expand Your Search. Diversifying your search to include outside groups can prove effective in creating a well-rounded board of directors.

What Are Elected Officers?

Section 22.231 further outlines the election of officers to the board:

(a) The officers of a corporation shall include a president and a secretary and may include one or more vice presidents, a treasurer, and other officers and assistant officers as considered necessary. Any two or more offices, other than the offices of president and secretary, may be held by the same person.

(b) A properly designated committee may perform the functions of an officer. A single committee may perform the functions of any two or more officers, including the functions of president and secretary.

(c) The officers of a corporation may be designated by other or additional titles as provided by the certificate of formation or bylaws of the corporation.

Putting It Into Practice

Elected officers are members of the board with assigned roles focused on regulating the day-to-day activities of the organization and maintaining its success. Each position should have a clear role defined in the organization’s bylaws.

The board of directors is required to nominate elected officers in Texas. Elected officer roles can not only prove helpful in ensuring the effectiveness of the board of directors, but also provide a foundation of leadership.

The two elected officers required for nonprofits in Texas include:

  • President: As the leader of the board, the president commonly has authority over key activities like signing contracts and hiring or firing employees. This role differs from the CEO/executive director position, which the board typically hires after assigning the president role.
  • Secretary: This individual serves as the organizer of the board meetings, which may include scheduling the meetings, informing board members of the meeting schedule, planning the meeting agendas, and recording meeting minutes.

Note: In Texas, the role of president and secretary cannot be held by the same person.

Conclusion

Forming a board of directors is an essential part of creating and operating a nonprofit in Texas. Ideally, this group will advocate for your organization’s best interests in everything from finances to public relations. To form or expand a board of directors that will best represent your nonprofit’s needs, search for members who will uphold your organization’s mission and purpose.

Related Articles