Joining a nonprofit board is an honor and a challenge that brings great rewards while testing your character, your collaboration skills, and your patience. The rewards of Board service are the business knowledge you acquire, the interpersonal skills that you develop, and the expanded new network that will support you for years to come.
The drawback is the enormous responsibility you carry as the fiduciary and legal representative of the organization. Typically, there is continuing leadership education on the roles and responsibilities of board members, how to be a strong and effective board member, and how to work as a productive, leadership team.
The point is to ask the questions upfront to learn what you already know, and what you don’t know. Once you have thought long and hard about your decision and considered the questions below, I would heartily recommend – “Go For It!” as board service may truly enhance your life.
Matters to consider:
o Do you wholeheartedly support the mission of the agency you are considering joining?
o Have you completed your due diligence on the agency by reviewing the website, reading GuideStar for financial and program information, and speaking with colleagues about the agency’s reputation and culture? Have you asked for, received, and read their bylaws and financial statements?
o Does the agency have a strategic plan? Where are they in the execution of the plan?
o Have you asked about fundraising and are you comfortable with the answer you received? Did you ask if there is a minimum gift from Board members?
o Have you learned what ‘work product’ (committee assignment, fundraising) the agency expects, and hopes, to receive from you?
o What is the orientation format of the agency and how will you be educated to be an effective board member?
o Do you believe that you have the time to be engaged and actively participate in the work of the board ensuring that the board is effective?
Joining a board of directors is real work, practically a second job if you are participating fully. It is not a drop-by when it is convenient, ignoring emails or meetings, or not joining a committee. As a board member, you commit to the mission, to the work, and to hold the organization accountable to the agency stakeholders.
The keys to the questions asked above:
Mission – you know your passion and most likely there are multiple agencies in your area that support that passion. Learn about them, find a nonprofit with a mission that speaks to you, speak with your friends, and network to learn more.
Due diligence – there are multiple sources of information in the online ‘universe’; the best place to start is with the agency’s website. Who are on the staff and the board? See if you know anyone who can help you learn more. Do they partner with other agencies or corporations? Have you found that the current programs of the agency support the mission and purpose effectively?
Strategic Plan – sometimes this is on the agency website page. What are the dates of the current plan? What are their Goals, Objectives, and Tasks? Are they reasonable (in your mind) and are they something that you can support? Is the plan reviewed regularly?
Fundraising – what are the personal and agency fundraising goals? Can you meet them? You do not have to be a star fundraiser who asks for the $5,000 gift, but you do need to be a ‘cheerleader’ for the agency and be able to speak up on all the great program work that the agency is providing. Every board member has fundraising duties, whether it is asking for a gift, identifying potential donors, or stewarding current donors.
Expectations – Expectations fall into two categories, legal and fiduciary responsibilities, and Board responsibilities and behaviors.
Fiduciary and Legal responsibilities
These are the primary functions of board members and are the board’s most visible role. This role requires board members to protect the reputation, assets, and fundraising activities of the agency. The Board does not own the nonprofit. It is ‘owned’ by the Attorney General of the state. The Board functions as the fiscal steward of the agency and is, thereby, held account to for its actions. Board members are legally on the line for the decisions and behaviors they endorse.
Legally, the Board is expected to follow the duties of exercising judgment, furthering the organization’s interests above their own interests, and acting in the best interest of the organization.
Board Expectations
Board expectations are usually reviewed at the beginning of each year and agreed upon by the entire board. In short, they typically require that each board member show up, be engaged, be an active contributor complete their work assignments on time, help fundraise, understand the financial side of the agency, and most importantly Ask Questions when there is something presented that you don’t understand.
It is typical that once the Board has established the expectations of board members, the board then signs a Commitment form agreeing that they will abide by the agreed-upon expectations.
Wow- still interested in joining the board? Hopefully, the answer is yes. As stated earlier, it is truly an honor and can bring tremendous rewards for serving a mission that supports those facing multiple challenges in their lives. One is touching lives and making a difference. The important point is to do your homework and understand the expectations that the agency has for its board members. Be prepared, “go for it”, learn from your board service and bottom line, and enjoy the effort.