It is rare that I see a nonprofit board that gets the credit or blame for the organization's success or failure. That this is rare is not what I believe it should necessarily be but is certainly understood. Everywhere but in the spotlight, boards truly work behind the scenes hopefully crafting directions, evaluating, setting policy. I say hopefully because it is not unusual for nonprofit boards to basically sit and receive information, maybe ask a few questions and then do whatever the staff say is appropriate. I mean really, who would really want this board in the spotlight?
But, as you will read, there's at least some folks in Washington, DC who believe it is truly the board's failure that has led to less than satisfactory results for this special tax district (check out John Oliver for an excellent review of this creative approach to community problem solving). This opinion piece clearly lays the blame directly on the shoulders of the board and why not? And the solution: get another board! So yes, maybe for the board that actually does something, blame can be a just reward :).
Here's the Washington Post piece.