Don’t Recruit Another Board Member Until You Can Answer These Questions
If you’re planning to build bench strength on your board this year, first ask yourself: Can I explain what the role actually looks like? Can I articulate what it would take for a board member to be helpful to my organization right now?
I’ve seen what happens when this isn’t clear. Leaders bring on several new board members with good intentions and strong resumes. A few months in, people are unsure where to plug in, what’s expected of them, or how they can add value. As a result, executives spend their precious time clarifying, redirecting, and often lamenting that the board is not as engaged as they hoped.
Here’s a way to stop that cycle—a way that goes beyond the typical list of board member expectations. Before you invite someone to join your board, sit down with your board chair or nominating committee and get aligned on your answers to the following questions.
The Missing Piece, watercolor by Ian Mutton
About the board member role:
What do we need most from our board members right now?
Is personal giving expected? If so, at what level?
What does fundraising support look like in practice?
How do we bring new board members up to speed in a way that makes them feel informed and useful?
What is the cadence of board meetings and communication outside of meetings?
Are our board committees active? Do they have a clear purpose and defined work?
Why are we asking this particular person to join? What do we hope he or she will bring to the table?
About the organization
What are our top organizational priorities this year?
What’s keeping us up at night?
How would we describe board dynamics, including the working relationship between the CEO and board?
What is a difficult decision the board has had to make recently or may have to make soon?
How are we measuring impact and sustainability? Where are we meeting the mark or falling short of where we want to be?
Few boards actually take this step, but it can be quite powerful. Not only does it provide a platform for meaningful discussion with your current board members, it creates a realistic picture of what new board members are stepping into. This makes it much easier for them to determine if your board is the right fit.
If you’d like a hand facilitating these questions with your board or pressure-testing your answers, contact me to schedule a laser-focused working session on board expectations and recruitment readiness. Nonprofit leaders, board chairs, and committee members are all welcome to participate.