Joining a Non Profit Board
A few years ago, I joined a non-profit board in the Bay Area. My reasons were varied but mostly grounded in my desire to establish roots in the community and contribute to a cause that I believed in. There are several ways to find board opportunities from simply reaching out to orgs directly to asking your network for recommendations. I have about three years under my belt now so I thought I’d share a few things I learned along the way.
Please keep in mind that my advice is specific to non-profit boards and not corporate boards which are a different echelon of service with very different expectations. I’m focused on non-profits because that’s where I currently have experience. Here we go, in no particular order:
#1 Join a board with a cause that you are authentically passionate about. Board service should not be about appearances and if you join for the wrong reasons, you’ll likely lose interest and it will show in your behavior and engagement.
#2 Ask a lot of questions during the interview process. This is your time to really understand what you’re binding yourself to. Some questions I’ve used in the past include:
How is the board structured? Who are the members and what sectors do they represent?
What director and officer insurance coverage exists for board members?
How much of my time and money will be required? What’s the frequency and duration of board meetings? Do they meet in the middle of the day or in the evenings?
Who audits the org financials?
What are historical or current issues to be aware of?
#3 Attend an org sponsored event or two (e.g, fundraiser, community event) to get a feel for the quality of execution and how board members show up (or don’t).
#4 Meet as many board members as possible to get a pulse for personalities and interpersonal dynamics. Boards are made of people and people bring baggage and behaviors that can either be positive or negative even in the spirit of “doing good.” Try to understand how truly happy people are on the board. If you sense something is off, dig deeper. It may be a sign to keep looking.
#5 Make sure you fully understand the extent of your financial obligations to the board on an annual basis and how frequently those requirements are updated. The last thing you want is for the board commitment to grow 100% shortly after you join. Understand the dollar amount and what governance processes are in place to approve those changes. Also, when it comes to your give/get, be sure to understand expectations for fundraising events (big and small) as well as smaller contributions such as gifts for staff and holiday parties. It all adds up so it’s best to know what you’re getting into.
#6 Some boards emphasize service as well as fundraising while others are simply happy as long as your check clears. This shapes how the board executes and who they recruit. Take the time to determine what the board cares about.
#7 When you first join, don’t feel pressured to jump in and volunteer on a committee unless you want to. Take your time observing and deciding how you want to contribute.
#8 Call out bad behavior when you see it. You’re essentially paying for a seat at the table so your experience should be what you want it to be. It should be enjoyable and fulfilling so anything impacting that feeling should be addressed.
I’ve found my experience enriching and an eye opener in terms of the problems facing my community. I hope this helps you find your place as well.
Aji