PBPA Podcast

One of the greatest challenges a nonprofit board of directors can face is managing conflict with and potentially terminating an executive director. While no board wants to find itself in this situation, it's crucial to be prepared. In this episode of the PBPA podcast, Alex Drummond with Seyfarth Shaw and Lori Shapiro with Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta discuss how boards can navigate conflicts with their executive director and what steps to take if termination becomes necessary. We'll cover key tips and legal considerations to ensure fairness to the executive director, maintain oversight of the nonprofit, and prepare the board members themselves.

One of the most important tasks a nonprofit board might encounter is managing the transition to a new executive director. With great succession planning, plenty of lead time and lots of luck, an executive director transition might be completely smooth and uneventful. But more often than not, boards don’t have adequate time to plan or prepare. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, John Fleming with Eversheds Sutherland will speak with us about what to do when your ED announces they are stepping down. Whether your founding executive director is retiring or your latest executive director is moving to a different organization, we will discuss important tips and considerations to help board members navigate this crucial time for the organization.

Effective Oversight to Foster Collaboration & Prevent Overreach As the linchpin of a nonprofit, the executive director is tasked with translating the organization’s mission into action and managing day-to-day operations. But what role does the board of directors play in ensuring accountability while maintaining a collaborative partnership? And how can board members navigate the fine line between oversight and overreach? In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Alan Rosselot with Delta Air Lines and Justine Cowan with PBPA discuss how the fiduciary duties of board members apply when overseeing the executive director.

Last year, the Supreme Court in a landmark decision ruled that most American colleges and universities are prohibited from considering race in student admissions. This summer, an appellate court provided another important decision related to race-conscious offerings in the Fearless Fund Case, and this one directly impacts Georgia nonprofits. How might race-based grant-making change going forward? Join us in this episode of the PBPA Podcast as Marquetta Bryan with Nelson Mullins provides a deep dive into the Fearless Fund case, its impact on the future of equity grants in Georgia, and the legal outlook for race-conscious programming.

Many nonprofits use games, such as raffles or BINGO, as a fun, buzzworthy way to raise funds for the organization. In Georgia, we have some very clear laws that govern fundraising activities, such as raffles, door prizes and BINGO. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Thomas Federico with the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta will chat with us about what these rules are, why they exist, and some important considerations to help your nonprofit determine how to navigate raffle regulations.

Ready or not, artificial intelligence (“AI”) is here to stay. Let’s make sure your nonprofit is ready! Join us in the latest episode of the PBPA Podcast, where we talk about how nonprofits can effectively use AI while evaluating important privacy, security and ethical considerations. Hear what Jessica McKinney with Smurfit Westrock has to say about nonprofits using AI to further their missions, including employee training and use of AI, how to sort out bias in AI and the use of AI meeting notes.

A slip and fall accident may seem like a minor concern or something that could never happen at your facility. Legal claims associated with slip and falls, generally called “premises liability”, may be more common than you realize and can lead to serious injuries, costly legal battles, and significant disruptions to your organization’s mission. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Kendra Talley and Holly Hempel with Nelson Mullins will talk about strategies to mitigate slip and fall risks at your nonprofit facility. So, whether you're a nonprofit leader, a facilities manager, or a concerned volunteer, tune in for guidance on what to do before and after a slip and fall incident to minimize risk to your volunteers, participants and nonprofit organization.

Whether your nonprofit is ready to hire its first employee or is looking for a new payroll service, nonprofit leaders should be aware of both general and nonprofit payroll compliance considerations. In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Kadale Lubin will talk to us about legal requirements to efficiently manage payroll. This foundational understanding of payroll compliance is a primer for new nonprofits and a reminder of best practices for seasoned employers.

For nonprofits that use security or other video cameras onsite, have you considered your obligations to safeguard the privacy of individuals captured on camera and ensure the proper management of these recordings? In this episode of the PBPA Podcast, Sara Guercio with Alston & Bird explores legal requirements and practical tips to help your nonprofit navigate this complex landscape. Tune in to learn how to balance security and privacy effectively while maintaining compliance and trust.

While it’s not common, some organizations find it necessary to change their name. And in order to make a change, an organization must to navigate a myriad of issues, stakeholder considerations and legal steps. Before you embark on this journey, take a listen to this episode of the PBPA Podcast to learn about what you can expect. Hear about options for changing your nonprofit’s name, the pros and cons of each one, and the steps involved during our conversation with Nick Going of Honeywell Corporation.