Having a strong governance structure will help your organization remain focused on the overall vision and goals that the nonprofit’s founders originally had in mind when starting their cause.
One layer of the governance structure is your board of directors. Boards of directors are bodies of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization.
Your board of directors can help:
- Add to and complement the skills that you may not have in house
- Assist in bringing in new talent to your organization
- Provide a bird’s eye view of your business, focusing strategically and objectively on your day-to-day operations
- Set the policy and direction of the organization without micro-managing
- Assist in fundraising for your organization (if it's dependent on contributions)
So, How Do You Know Who Is a Good Fit?
Just like in every other part of your nonprofit, it is important to have the right people in the right place in order to effectively leverage every member of your team.
In his book Making a Difference, Howard Berman lists the seven qualities you should look for when recruiting new board members. Berman stresses that each member should have all of the traits below in order to be considered.
1. Integrity
It is a matter of when, not if, a member on any board will be faced with an ethical dilemma. When faced with this type of issue, it is important to be able to count on everyone on your board to respond ethically.
2. Independence
Since boards must operate with the utmost objectivity, there should not be any undisclosed conflicts of interest, such as a board member having a close friend who is an employee at your nonprofit, a board member’s company being a paid client of your nonprofit, or a board member having a close relationship with a major vendor of your organization. Whenever there is a conflict of interest, a board member should disclose the conflict and abstain from any votes on the subject matter. This applies even if the independence is just a matter of appearances.
3. Mature Confidence
Each board member should have the confidence to actively speak out during board meetings. These individuals were brought onto the board for their specific expertise and should contribute their ideas.
4. Corporate Manners
Board meetings are a place for members to discuss the topics at hand. Discussions should not be dominated by a few individuals who feel strongly about their convictions. Each member should get a chance to voice his or her opinion.
5. A Sense of Context
Each board member should take responsibility to confine their discussion at board meetings to the topics proposed on the meeting agenda. It is easy to get side tracked with non-urgent and unimportant conversations that can be held for a later date or after the board meeting.
6. Courage
Courage is defined as willingness to do the right thing even if the decision is not popular and unfair to some. Board members should also be willing to take a side when making a decision that will affect your organization. No one should be “sitting on the fence” and refusing to decide on the important matters at hand.
7. Commitment
Board members should consider serving on your board as an opportunity to serve and enhance the community at large. Each member should be completely committed to your cause, rather than just looking to do a favor just because they were asked. They should be willing to spend the necessary time that is required to completely fulfill what is expected of them. Their heart should be fully dedicated to your organization. They should be aware of and adhere to your standards of excellence.
Wherever Your Cause Takes You, the Board Is Essential to Getting You There
Think of your nonprofit as a ship, and your board of directors as its captain. As long as the vision of your cause is properly communicated (and re-communicated as needed), your board members will know exactly where to steer your organization. And having the right people in the right place will take knowing exactly which qualities to consider during the selection process.
Need Help?
Contact our Nonprofit Group online or call 800.899.4623.
