Tips for Finding a Board Position with a Non-Profit Organization
Finding a board of directors position with a non-profit organization can be challenging, but there are several ways to approach the task. The first step is to find out if your skills match the needs of an organization. Non-profit boards typically require members with strong leadership and management experience as well as financial acumen. If you have these skills and have been involved with similar organizations in the past, then you may be a good candidate for serving on a board of directors.
Characteristics and Roles of Non-Profit Board Members
The roles and responsibilities of non-profit board members differ from their corporate counterparts. For starters, boards in the corporate sector answer to their companies’ shareholders, whereas non-profit boards are accountable to the communities they serve and legally accountable to the Charity Commission/Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator/Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, which regulates Charities across the UK.
How to Add and Invite Board Members
Steps to Add a Board Member:
-
Assess needs. Determine gaps in skills and diversity that need filling to align with goals.
-
Define roles and responsibilities expected of members, including legal and financial obligations and time commitment.
-
Develop a recruitment plan outlining the process for identifying and selecting new members.
Process to Invite a Board Member:
- Follow prescribed process in bylaws when adding a member.
- Reasons to add: fill vacancy or add skills.
- Authorized members extend invitation.
- Majority must vote to add new member.
- If at max members, increase number via bylaws amendment. Circulate prior, discuss and vote at meeting.
Tips for Recruiting and Building an Effective Non-Profit Board
In this complete guide to building an effective nonprofit board, we’ve pulled together all the best resources to help you get started. Whether you’re leading an established nonprofit or starting one from scratch, or whether you’re a CEO, volunteer board chair or staff lead for the board, this guide is for you. Let’s jump in!
Becoming a Successful Board Member
BoardSource’s report highlights the importance of a candidate’s passion for the organization’s mission and the ability to devote time to board responsibilities as top priorities. If you’re looking to become a successful board member, consider these key factors.