Nonprofit Board Members are the stewards of the organization’s assets and provide oversight, foresight and insight. They are often compared with crows perched on workboardroom.com the crows nest, scouting for storm clouds and rainbows. They are not in charge daily operations but they need to be able to see the bigger picture.
There are many resources to help you find the perfect board members, whether your organization is already established or just starting out. One of the most effective ways to find board members is to make contact with existing volunteers. Check out your current committees and events. Also look for those with the potential to be great leadership. You can also make use of newsletters and social media to promote the positions on your board to your community.
Another option is to search job boards for non-profits or missions-driven organizations such as Impact Opportunity and Idealist. Additionally, search within your professional field for individuals who are involved with nonprofits through their industry associations or businesses who give to them as part of their charitable giving. If you discover some people who appear to be good candidates get in touch with them to see whether they’re interested in joining your board.
Just like any staff member, newly appointed board members should receive an extensive orientation to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and commitment. This includes a clear set of expectations for meeting attendance and schedules, fundraising, responsibilities for which they are hired (e.g., budget management) and other governance policies.