Nonprofit HR can be messy — but it doesn't have to be. Let's talk about when it's time to call in reinforcements (and what "reinforcements" actually look like).

I sat down with Mark Bromberg, a Business Performance Advisor at Insperity and one of my favorite people to send clients to when HR headaches start taking over. We dug into what PEOs (Professional Employer Organizations) really do — and when they make sense for nonprofits.

Real Listener Question: "Our professional association has seven employees. We're losing our CEO soon, and our board wants to consider alternatives. When does it make sense to have a PEO instead of a CEO or in-house HR support?"

This is one of those big-picture nonprofit management questions that hits close to home for a lot of leaders. In this episode, Mark and I unpack what a PEO actually is (spoiler: not just payroll!), what a true co-employment model looks like, and why choosing the right PEO is more than a price comparison — it's a relationship.

We also talk about how post-pandemic remote work complicates HR, why private equity moving into the PEO space should give nonprofits pause, and what "due diligence" really means before signing a PEO contract.

What You'll Learn:

• What a PEO is — and what it isn't
• When outsourcing HR actually helps your nonprofit
• How remote teams across multiple states complicate compliance
• Why private equity's growing interest in PEOs matters
• What to ask before choosing a PEO (hint: "Who owns you?" is fair game)
• Why HR pros and PEOs can actually be a dream team
• How to make sure your PEO relationship is an ethical, cultural fit

Bottom line: Nonprofits don't exist to manage payroll, benefits, or compliance — you exist to change the world. The right PEO can help you do that, but only if you choose wisely and partner with someone who truly understands your mission.

Resources from this Episode

• Learn about Insperity: https://www.insperity.com/
• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbromberg/
• Previous Episode: GoFundMe Creates 1.4M Nonprofit Donation Pages Without Consent with Ephraim Gopin https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct150/
• Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CT151_Transcript.pdf

Connect with Us

• Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/

Listen & Engage

• Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music
• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"
• Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story

Stay Connected

• Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

If your board hasn't met in ten months, that's not just awkward — it's a big problem.

In this episode, Meghan and I dive into a basic (but often overlooked) part of nonprofit governance: how often a board needs to meet, and what happens when it doesn't.

Real Listener Question: "My wife joined the board of a small arts nonprofit, but they haven't met once in ten months. The executive director sends quarterly updates by email — that's it. Is that legal?"

A board that never meets isn't really a board — it's a liability. Meghan and I talk about what state laws and bylaws actually require, what fiduciary duties board members are neglecting when they don't meet, and how to raise the issue without making enemies. We also unpack what counts as a real "meeting," why email updates don't cut it, and what to do if you're stuck on a board that's asleep at the wheel.

What You'll Learn:

• The bare minimum number of meetings a board should have each year
• Why your bylaws matter more than you think
• What fiduciary duties mean — and how ignoring them puts you at risk
• Why a one-way email is not a valid board meeting
• How to raise governance concerns without burning bridges
• When (and how) to walk away from a dysfunctional board

Bottom line: If your board isn't meeting, it's not leading. You can't fulfill your fiduciary duties by inbox — and sometimes, the bravest move is to speak up or step out.

Resources from this Episode

• Learn about fiduciary duties here: https://birkenlaw.com/cornerstone-content/what-does-it-mean-to-be-nonprofit-board-member/
• Previous Episode: When Nonprofits Should (Or Shouldn't!) Use PEOs for Their HR with Jess Holst: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct148/
• Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CT149_Trasncript.pdf

Connect with Us

• Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/
• Meghan Heitkamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-heitkamp-829254115/

Listen & Engage

• Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music
• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"
• Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story

Stay Connected

• Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Think a PEO will solve all your nonprofit's HR headaches? Not so fast — the fine print might surprise you.

In this episode, I'm joined by HR consultant Jess Holst from Aligned HRC to answer a listener's question about whether a professional employer organization (PEO) is the right solution for their growing nonprofit.

Real Listener Question: "We've grown from four employees to nearly twelve. I've been handling payroll and HR myself, but it's becoming too much. A board member suggested a PEO, but it feels too good to be true. Should we do it?"

PEOs get sold as a one-stop HR solution, but the reality is more complicated. Jess Holst and I unpack the promises versus the pitfalls: from hidden compliance traps, to the limits of what PEOs actually cover, to the unexpected costs that nonprofits often don't see coming. We also explore alternatives like fractional HR support and how to make smarter choices about employee benefits.

What You'll Learn:

• What a PEO actually does — and what it doesn't
• The real reason many nonprofits consider a PEO (hint: health insurance)
• Why compliance gaps and hidden costs can make PEOs risky
• How pairing a PEO with fractional HR could be a smarter move
• Why shopping with a benefits broker might save you more than a PEO
• How to know when your nonprofit is ready for outside HR help

Bottom line: A PEO isn't a magic HR fix. For some nonprofits, it might be a tool. For many, it's a costly distraction. What matters most is building a strong HR foundation — whether that's with fractional HR support, a trusted benefits broker, or a thoughtful plan for growth.

Resources from this Episode

• Learn more Jess and Aligned HRC: https://alignedhrc.com/
• Previous Episode: Are Nonprofit DEI Initiatives Illegal? with Megan: https://birkenlaw.com/charity-therapy-podcast/ct147/
• Episode Transcript: https://birkenlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CT148_Transcript.pdf

Connect with Us

• Jess Birken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbirken/

Listen & Engage

• Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music
• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts: Click "Ratings and Reviews" then "Write a Review"
• Send us your nonprofit questions: https://birkenlaw.com/podcast/#podcast-story

Stay Connected

• Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup/
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter