Drafting policies and procedures for a nonprofit or religious organization can be challenging. Here are some common questions:
Where do you start?
Can you find a good model policy somewhere?
What should be included?
Are there laws that this policy should address?
Are there certain risks this policy is supposed to address?
How do you write a good policy anyway?
The following chart summarizes the pros and cons of the five most common methods available to nonprofit leaders to get their policies written, revised, and up-to-date:
Method
Pros
Cons
Copy another Organization’s policies
Don’t have to re-invent the wheel
Save time
Cost: free
May not reflect your organization's history, culture, circumstances or special risks
May not reflect the requirements of your state's laws
May not address your operational risks
May be a bad policy
You don’t really understand the policy or if you even need it
Purchase model policies on a disk or on the internet
Don’t have to re-invent the wheel
Often well-written models by experts
Save time
Inexpensive
You don’t really understand the policy or if you even need it
May not address your organization’s culture or structure
Copy another Organization’s policies
Purchase model policies on a disk or on the internet
On-line policy training and resources
Attend a conference
Hire a consultant/attorney
