You may find this odd, but one of my fondest childhood memories is reading the dictionary with my grandmother. She had a massive dictionary — so large it required its own stand in the living room. She would give me a word, ask me to look it up, and then read it aloud to her. But that wasn’t enough. What mattered most to her was that I also read the origin of the word. Where did it come from? What did it really mean? That experience made a lasting impression. I still find myself curious about definitions and word origins — although these days I use a computer instead of a dictionary stand. (I often wonder what she’d think about that.) As we step into a new year — and in the spirit of New Year’s resolutions — I’ve decided to combine that love of words with something else I care deeply about: helping people better understand how Dearing House works. This blog (and accompanying video series) will explore words and phrases that are common to us at Dearing House but may not be familiar to everyone who supports us, refers to us, or relies on our services. These are words that can sound intimidating, confusing, or even vague — yet they matter greatly. We make it a point with every child we interview to tell them to speak up if we use words or phrases (and heaven forbid, acronyms), they don’t understand. I’m taking that same approach here — slowing things down, defining our language, and pulling back the curtain on how our work actually happens. So, let’s start with a word that sounds anything but exciting: Governance. In the nonprofit world, governance generally refers to oversight and accountability. But the word itself has a much more interesting origin. It comes from a Greek term meaning “to steer” or “to pilot.” The philosopher Plato used it to describe guiding a ship — setting direction and keeping it on course. Its modern use in business and nonprofit management is surprisingly recent, gaining traction only in the 1990s. That image of steering a ship is helpful, because one of the most common questions people have about nonprofits is: Who’s really in charge — the board or the Executive Director? The answer lies in governance. Governance is the responsibility of the volunteer board of directors, which includes strategy, accountability, transparency, and most importantly, in my never-to-be-humble opinion — ensuring the organization fulfills its mission ethically, legally, and effectively. Day-to-day management, on the other hand, belongs to the paid leadership, primarily the Executive Director. This includes implementing plans, supervising staff, managing the facility, engaging with community partners and helping children. Different roles. Shared purpose. Why does this matter? Because a strong governance structure — where the board provides thoughtful oversight and Executive Director drives effective action — builds credibility and trust. It reassures donors that resources are being used wisely. It reassures partners that decisions are sound. In our case, It offers children and families hope. And it ensures that Dearing House can grow, adapt, and respond to community needs over time. I particularly appreciate how the National Council of Nonprofits describes good governance: as a recipe. You need the right ingredients: engaged board leadership with varied backgrounds and expertise, and a highly trained chef (the Executive Director). Mix in candid conversations, transparent practices, thoughtful policies, fiscal accountability, and long-term vision and you get a program that truly meets community needs. At Dearing House, our clients — children and families — benefit directly from this structure. Our board holds all of us accountable to our mission and ensures that every donation, grant, and square foot of space is used effectively and responsibly to help children heal from trauma. The strong governance at Dearing House isn’t flashy. It doesn’t make headlines. But it is one of the most important ways we protect your trust — and ultimately, protect children. Next month, I think the word we should explore is CONSISTENCY and what it means to always do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons.
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Ponca City, OK
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