Nonprofit Board Members are the stewards of the organization’s assets and provide oversight, foresight, and insight. They are often compared with being high up in the crow’s nest looking out for rainbows or storm clouds. While they are not in charge of the day-to-day tasks, they should be in a position to see the bigger picture and understand what’s needed to make things happen.
No matter if your nonprofit is a seasoned or new start-up there are a variety of options to help you find board members who are suitable. One of the most effective ways to find board members is to make contact with existing volunteers. Look at your current committees, events, and youth leadership groups for anyone who stand out as having potential to become great leaders. You can also use your newsletters and social media to advertise your board opportunities to your community.
Find job boards such as Impact Opportunity or Idealist for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. Also, search within your professional areas for individuals who are connected to nonprofits through their industries associations or through corporations who donate to them as part of their charitable giving. Contact those who seem like suitable candidates and ask whether they’re interested in being on workboardroom.com your board.
Just like any staff member, new board members must receive a thorough orientation to ensure they understand their roles and commitment. This includes a clear set of expectations regarding attendance at meetings and schedules, fundraising, the responsibilities for which members are chosen (e.g. budget management) as well as other governance policies.
