How to Select Board Members
Having an effective board of directors is crucial to the overall success of a nonprofit organization. Without a strong board of directors, the organization's staff members and executive director will have to do a bulk of the planning that is normally accomplished by the board of directors. According to JacksonNonprofit.org, an effective board makes it possible for staff to make the mission a reality by laying a foundation for the organization's vision and mission as well as a basis for overall expectations. "Building an effective board is similar to creating a winning sports team," according to JacksonNonprofit.org. "Recruiting talented players that fit the team and training them to play their best are key ingredients."
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Instructions
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Recruit beyond your circle of friends and acquaintances. Instead, seek out the advice of local religious leaders, executive directors, United Way officials, funders or committed volunteers. Ask these professionals to recommend any candidates who would be committed, dependable and mission-driven to serve on the board of your organization, according to FoundationCenter.org.
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Think in terms of diversity when selecting board members. An effective board is comprised of individuals with a wide array of backgrounds, skills, resources, perspectives, races and resources, according to BoardSource.org. A diverse board is more likely to attract better visibility in the community and even gain diverse donors, volunteers and supporters of the organization, according to BoardSource.org. However, ensure that all potential board members have the same understanding of the organization's mission, despite the diversity among the individuals.
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Don't make a hasty decision when selecting a board member. Instead, choose a board member slowly, according to the FoundationCenter.org. Being an effective board member takes time commitment, the ability to work well in a group setting, being goal-oriented, and, most importantly, an interest in the agency's mission and philanthropy. Get to know the board candidate, and provide necessary time to gain an understanding of why the individual wants to be on a board of directors. Then determine whether the individual can fit this responsibility into his agenda, according to the FoundationCenter.org.
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Avoid only recruiting well-known community members, or high-income individuals, to serve on the board of directors. It's assumed that these individuals will help obtain high donations, but this is often not the case, according to ManagementHelp.org. It's more important for candidates to have a strong understanding of how a board of directors works, as well as an understanding of the needs of the clients.
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