Strong missions save lives but strong governance sustains them.

In this essential episode of the Community Cats Podcast, Stacy LeBaron welcomes back Tim Crum, CEO and founder of Animal Shelter

Services, for a deep dive into nonprofit board governance. If you’ve ever wondered what a board of directors should be doing (versus what they often end up doing), this conversation is for you.

Tim breaks down the core purpose of a nonprofit board: governance, not operations. From fiduciary responsibility to strategic planning, he outlines the three legal duties every board member must understand—duty of loyalty, duty of care, and duty of obedience (think “LOCO” to remember them). He also shares real-world examples of common governance missteps, including conflicts of interest, related board members, executive directors serving as voting board members, and the risks of poorly documented board minutes.

For growing animal welfare organizations—especially those transitioning from all-volunteer to staffed operations—this episode offers practical guidance on when to hire an executive director, how to structure bylaws and policies, and why board composition matters. Tim also addresses board giving requirements, succession planning, and how to recruit skilled board members by first getting your “house in order.”

Whether you’re a founder wearing too many hats, a seasoned board member, or stepping into governance for the first time, this episode provides clear, actionable insights to help your organization grow responsibly, ethically, and sustainably.

Good governance isn’t just paperwork…it’s the foundation for saving more lives.

• The three legal duties of nonprofit board members—and why most people don’t know they have them
• What Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance actually protects
• Real-life examples of governance “missteps” and how to avoid them
• Why accurate board minutes are your organization’s legal safety net
• The difference between bylaws, policies, and standard operating procedures
• When (and how) to hire an executive director
• Why related board members can create major conflicts of interest
• The ideal board size for animal welfare organizations
• Whether board members should have a financial giving requirement
• Practical strategies for recruiting strong, skilled board members

Resources & Links:

• An Animal Shelter’s Guide to Board Governance by Tim Crum Available at https://animalshelterguide.com
• Animal Shelter Services
• Tim’s Previous Podcast Appearance: Community Cats Podcast Episode 611