Did you know that the nonprofit sector of the United States generates $2.6 trillion in revenue per year? For the success of our nation and its people, it is crucial that these nonprofits-schools, hospitals, museums, charities, etc.-run smoothly and optimally. That starts at the very top, with the CEO and the board of directors.

In The Importance of Nonprofit Board Leadership, author Dennis C. Miller distills his decades of expertise into 13 concise, essential chapters. Lessons include: Characteristics of Highly Successful Nonprofit Organizations, The Role of the Board Chair, Creating a Culture of Philanthropy, and more.

Dennis offers a simple five-step method for recruiting the board members you really need, instead of just those you know. Later, he explains the best approaches to fundraising; search for "investors" in your cause, he says, "not just funders." The book offers numerous other insights that can help a board sharpen its focus, make better decisions, and optimize its success.

In the time it takes to sit through another unproductive board meeting, you could read this short how-to book-the first step in creating a highly successful nonprofit board.