Be Comfortable with Culture Before Joining a Board

Categories: Board Member Roles · Good Board Practices · Prospective Board MembersTags: Leave a comment

In this post, I share a story of a board member who was skeptical about joining a board because of its reputation as risk averse and mostly white male. But after she did some research and asked many questions, she realized the organization’s reputation was outdated. The story is a positive one. After joining, she discovers a thoughtful and well-functioning board. Consider an Invitation to Join a Board As told by a Board Member somewhere in the United States. I was invited to join the board of a fairly large and prominent nonprofit working in the education space. The board… Read more

Do You Have a Clear Process for Vetting Prospective Board Members?

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A reader and I were exchanging emails when they told me that their governance committee had developed a thoughtful process for selecting and vetting new Board Members. I like the policy for a number of reasons. First, it is important to fully vet a candidate ahead of time. I was on one board where we approved a new candidate and announced that they were joining the board. Only then did we learn that this candidate had done something that precluded them from being on our board, and we had to rescind our offer. Second, the policy makes sure that what… Read more

Navigating Board Expectations: A Lesson in Clarity

Categories: Board Member Roles · Good Board Practices · Prospective Board MembersTags: 3 Comments

A colleague shared this story about the importance of setting clear expectations for board members when they are recruited, checking in with them annually to ensure they understand the expectations, and being willing to let them go if they cannot meet the requirements. The Unspoken Assumption – Personal Gift As told by a nonprofit CEO somewhere in the U.S. When I became CEO of a fairly large nonprofit, I met with every single board member. It was one of the first things I did. One board member stood out. She worked for a corporate partner. She had an impressive profile,… Read more

Eight Things to Consider When Diversifying Your Board

Categories: Board Diversity · Board Member Roles · Prospective Board MembersTags: · · 1 Comment

Everyone wants to diversify their boards. Having a diverse board, especially one with people who have lived experience around your mission, will help you make better decisions. Here are some things to think about: Think Broadly. Think of diversity in the broadest sense – ability, age, ethnicity, gender identity, geography, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. All of these areas can enrich your discussions and add important perspective. Depending on your mission, some may be more critical than others. Remember too that just because someone is white, male, or older does not mean that they are bad board members.… Read more

How to Prepare for a Successful Donor Ask

Categories: Board Member Roles · Fundraising · Good Board Practices · Nonprofit Funding · Prospective Board MembersTags: · Leave a comment

In this post, I share a story from a fundraising professional about the importance of preparation to making a successful ask. He describes how he tries to identify the best person to make each ask and then thoroughly prepares for each meeting so the asker – whether it is a board member, the ED, or someone else – is confident in their role. This post is the latest in my series about fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Other posts include: Successful Fundraising Requires a Great Story Fundraising Strategies for Large Institutions Organizing for Fundraising Success Having Board Members Thank Donors Role… Read more