Nonprofit board leadership is becoming scarce. Few are taking a role in volunteering their time and expertise. Why is that? It could be a shift of our cultural values, which people are more thoughtful about how they spend their free time as well as the reflection of – what’s in it for me? Because of this climate, it is critical for nonprofits to set up board recruitment, functions, and processes, and be mindful of these when recruiting new board members. If you don’t, your nonprofit will encounter hard times if the match was not suitable. Here are some quick tips on what is required to vet and cultivate your new board member:
- State in your bylaws the balance of your board by expertise and count. State term limits and the process for getting a person off of your board. Directors should work their way up to give them time to understand the workings of the nonprofit before becoming an officer.
- Be sure to have a conflict-of-interest policy and screen for that when recruiting board members.
- Create an introduction and an outline of expectations for the potential board member.
- Board members should “apply” for the position to ensure it is a good fit. Ask for social media accounts and read their profiles to better understand the fit.
- Work with the board to evaluate the board and board members once a year. Focus on meeting expectations and furthering the mission of the organization.
- Work towards fulfilling the strategic plan and steer everyone in that direction. Sometimes it takes some hard conversations to either get them back on-track or you move with them in a new direction.
As always Jasmin Group is here to help you overcome your nonprofit challenges to ensure your mission is met. Send us a message – [email protected].
