Governing a nonprofit can be overwhelming. It’s not easy to gather a group of people who will work harmoniously and have the right skills and passion for the cause. Ensuring a nonprofit has great board members requires effort and thought. Here are some valuable tips for recruiting nonprofit board members.
Culture
Each board has a culture, either by intention or default. Culture works as the foundation that supports sound governance. Through observation, storytelling, and advice, the management can build a solid culture firmly rooted in core values.
Character
The management needs to screen for the character before seating a board member. In most cases, leaders make assumptions of a person’s character based on first impression or their willingness to serve on the board. However, nonprofits should assess prospective board members’ character before recruitment.
Competence
It’s crucial for the sitting board to genuinely examine the board members’ skills it requires to become a highly effective panel. The sitting board needs to look beyond business acumen to recognize, define, and find out qualifications that will positively impact its ability to lead.
Connections
A nonprofit should remain connected to its constituency to achieve its mission. When nonprofits fail to get the support they require to flourish; they assume it’s because they don’t have visibility. However, they need to establish a band of believers among potential public members, including those the organization serves, those influential in the community, wealthy philanthropists, and those with unique insights or skills that can fuel its success.
Composition
Although the process of forming a solid board with character, connections, competence, and diversity is straightforward, it takes discipline and time to do it right. To represent the communities served by the nonprofit, the organization needs board members with the interests and concerns of the community at heart.
Continuity
When choosing prospective board members, the sitting board should understand how their organization functions and performs in order to make sound decisions, especially when the risks are high.
Collaboration
Collaboration enables people to work in harmony to advance a cause they serve, either internally or with other establishments. Teamwork also creates an environment where individuals can share and explore ideas safely and make respectful inquiries. However, creating a collaborative team requires a continuous, strong commitment to the cause the organization serves.