Voluntary Boards of Directors in Greek Sport Governing Bodies

In the face of the pressures confronting nonprofits, voluntary boards have become more aware of the need to constantly legitimizing their important role. This article reports on a qualitative research of the board effectiveness of national sport organizations (NSOs), based on a multiple perspective approach. Fifty-two semi-structured interviews with board members, paid administrative staff, elite athletes, technical staff and state representatives provided data in relation to the performance of the voluntary board governing their affiliated sport organization. The results manifest substantial divergence in the board effectiveness-related conceptualizations of the interest groups examined and highlight the most important and desirable determinants. For the examined organizational context, the attainment of board effectiveness involves strategies that reflect not only major structural adjustments but also consistent and influential leadership.