7 Steps to the Fully Engaged Nonprofit Board You Deserve

You can see it in the CEO’s face when speaking about the organization's board. A board can be a CEO’s greatest joy or most significant challenge. A strong, effective board is essential for a nonprofit to achieve its mission and operate effectively.

A CEO known for having the community’s most prestigious and effective board once shared, “You get the board you deserve.” He probably spent at least two-thirds of his time nurturing and building his board. When he needed a major donor, good counsel or a public advocate, he didn’t have far to go.

Making the best of your board and changing it up takes time.

Be sure you have a process your board and staff leadership understand, and give them responsibility to help you follow these seven steps to success.

1. Defining
Know your needs. Your board’s composition and role should be clearly defined in your bylaws. Board needs vary dramatically depending on size, scope and life cycle. As your board evolves, you may need to move board members to honorary, emeritus status or other advisory roles.

2. Identifying
With the role defined, begin to identify prospective candidates. Develop a profile of your current board characteristics and skills, and then overlay your needs. The needs of your organization change over time. If you are facing political or technical issues, you may want to fill your board with leaders possessing these skills. If you are facing a major campaign, you want leaders who can make and access significant gifts.

Maintain an ongoing list of prospective board members, update it regularly, and include action steps so they are ready and willing to serve when needed.

In an appropriate manner, seek board nominations from key donors, board members and other leaders.

3. Recruiting
For recruiting board members, develop clear procedures and build a committee responsible for vetting candidates, educating board members, evaluating the board and determining the slate of officers.