Do you sit on a non-profit board of directors? If so, it is time to be held accountable. You cannot just sit on the board, you must do some of the work. I've been telling non-profit paid leaders that now is the time to start holding you accountable. Want to know what I'm telling them...
My words to association and society executives about you...as the chief staff executive at your 501(c)(6) [or possibly (c)(3)] trade association or professional society you are tasked with...everything. Sure, you have your staff which could be 1-500 people helping you and yet when things go wrong, it is you that takes the heat from your board or executive committee. Wouldn't it be nice to give it right back to them? Oh, you could not do that because you fear for your job? Maybe you do not have to have such fear?
Perhaps today is the day for a new plan...the day to institute an accountability score card system for those "all too important" board members that like to dish it out. Perhaps they will be less emboldened to sling it at you when they are also being held accountable...by their peers. Monthly scorecard systems which let each board member know what each other is or is not doing...including themselves is amazingly effective. If they did their work that month they get a green box...if not they get a red box after their name. It's that simple. All too frequently board members what to show up as important but without doing the commensurate work. Put an end to that. They are holding you accountable...turnabout is fair play...especially in your world.
Back to you, the board member, sure the accolades from your peers is wonderful and sure being on the board might help your career...but if you do not do your job you are not helping yourself. By failing to fulfill your fiduciary responsibility...you are hurting everyone, including yourself. The easiest solution is to simply get the work done.