Recruiting A Board For A Nonprofit Organization

1. Recruiting a Board for a Nonprofit Organization
By: Alpa Patel
Recruiting a good board for a nonprofit organization is the key to nonprofit success. Here
are the attributes that you should look for when forming a nonprofit board.
As the leader of a newly organized nonprofit, you're anxious to start changing the world.
But that's not going to happen until you get out there and find qualified people who are
willing to become your organization's initial board of directors.
When recruiting a board of directors, the biggest mistake you can make is to quickly fill
the board with unqualified people simply to fulfill the legal requirements. Your weird
uncle may be willing to sit on the board, but what skills or resources would he bring to
the organization? If the answer is none, then he's probably not a good candidate - no
matter how willing he is to lend a hand.
The best board candidates are people who are capable of advancing the organization's
goals and have enough time in their schedule to meet the demands of active board
involvement. Remember: It is illegal for nonprofit board members to be compensated for
their services, so you're going to have to emphasize non-monetary rewards in your pitch.
Start by developing a job description that includes the anticipated time commitment and
the difference your organization will make in the community or world. Then start looking
for energetic individuals who can bring one or more of the following resources and
characteristics to the table . . .
Expertise
A board of directors can be a reservoir of knowledge in a wide variety of subject areas -
provided you have recruited the right people.
The trick is to recruit a diverse cross-section of individuals, but to focus on those who
possess expertise things that will directly benefit the organization.
First and foremost, your board should contain some members who have experience in
your organization's core competency. Additionally, you should be on the lookout for
candidates with legal, accounting, marketing, fundraising, and even human resource
backgrounds. The area in which your organization is weakest is usually the area in which
you should be looking for your next addition to the board.
Connections
It's not what you know, it's who you know, right?

2. Connections matter when it comes to nonprofit board additions. Ideally, you are looking
for someone who has expertise the organization can use and is well-connected in the
community.
Since your board of directors will provide the impetus for your organization's fundraising
efforts, it's important to consider each candidate's ability to attract donors to your cause.
If given the choice between a board member with deep pockets and a board member who
is influential with a dozen other people with deep pockets, the smart choice is to choose
the individual with connections instead of the one with a big bank account.
Passion
Passion is the most important quality you are looking for in potential board members.
You are starting a nonprofit organization because you believe you can make a difference.
Why settle for anything less in the people who will work alongside you to make your
nonprofit a success?
Experienced nonprofit leaders agree that the most effective board members are frequently
not the most knowledgeable or most well-connected people in the organization, but the
most passionate about their cause. Regardless of how good a candidate looks on paper, if
they don't have as much passion as you do, keep looking until you find someone who
does.
Media Contact: Alpa Patel
Phone Number: (714) 634-1992
E-mail: hello@weprint-oc.com
Website: www.weprint-oc.com