How to Choose the Right Nonprofit Board of Directors Members

To ensure a strong foundation for your nonprofit, it’s essential to create an engaged board of directors. But where do you start? 

From finding talented individuals who can support your mission to managing their responsibilities effectively, this blog post will walk you through the most frequently asked questions when it comes to building an influential and successful board of directors.

What is a nonprofit board of directors? 
A board of directors is responsible for overseeing the general operations of a nonprofit and making significant decisions about how it should be run. The board typically consists of at least three people although this can vary by state. You can prevent the possibility of deadlocks by recruiting an odd number of members. When your organization is new, three to five qualified and committed members is plenty.

The directors act as a "check-and-balance" system to ensure that the decisions made by management and leaders align with the organization's mission, values, and objectives. They provide guidance, advice, and expertise that help set direction and policy to positively impact the nonprofit's performance. 

How can you determine the right nonprofit board members?
Take the time to consider what your organization is working towards and examine potential board members with this in mind. Clarify roles, responsibilities, and expected volunteer hours for each member so you can find those who fit within those parameters and possess the commitment necessary to help meet your nonprofit's objectives.

Consider what type of expertise you are looking for in a board member – this could range from experience in financial management to marketing or fundraising. Next, develop a job description outlining your desired qualifications, professional skills (expertise and experience), and personal traits such as dedication, commitment, and passion for your cause. Then, begin a targeted search and recruit candidates. Ultimately, you want to find individuals with diverse talents you can leverage for your nonprofit's benefit, so select those who bring both vision and practicality to achieve long-term success.

Where can you find board members?
When recruiting board members for a nonprofit, there are a few essential steps to keep in mind. First, as noted above, it's important to establish a clear and concise description about the role of a board member for your organization. This should include a candidate’s responsibilities and desired skill set that align with the goals of the nonprofit. 

Next, build a pipeline of talent by targeting potential prospects who have some knowledge or experience related to the cause you are working on. Where do you source talented and experienced board members that might be a good fit? One great place to begin your search is within your existing network. Many times board members can come from recommendations of the nonprofit founder or executive director. Next, you can reach out to family, friends and colleagues to see if anyone is interested in becoming a board member. 

Social media can also be useful in this respect – advertise for board positions on places like LinkedIn and Facebook and reach out to contacts who might make an ideal candidate. If you don't know anyone personally who would fit the role, approach local professionals or seek out organizations in your community that center around your mission and connect with individuals there. You can share with the Chamber of Commerce where you are based and any organizations you may be partnering with. And don't forget to consider volunteers – they might just become passionate enough to join the board!

In short, recruiting the right people takes patience and effort, but it will be worth it when you can piece together a board of diverse personalities and skillsets who are dedicated to serving your nonprofit's unique objectives. 

Can paid staff members be on your board?
The answer is yes, they can – but should they? Every state allows a compensated person to sit on the board of directors. However, it can be a conflict of interest if the executive director also holds a leading role in the governing body. Too many paid staff members sitting on your board can also muddy the waters regarding performance and authority. 

To learn about some alternatives to paying staff members on your Board, watch our video on the Resilia Nonprofit Platform for more great tips! 

Can board members also be officers?
It varies by state, but ideally, board members should be separate from organizational roles. If they are not, and you've been able to differentiate the two, make sure you have two distinct titles and job descriptions.

What is the difference between a working board and a governing board?
There are two types of nonprofit boards, and it's essential to know which one your organization needs and what steps you need to take.

Board members should be involved in fundraising and dedicate time to your nonprofit, but a working board means a member might be managing social media until you have enough funding to hire a staff member to do it. A governing board member may oversee goals in that area and check in with staff members, but they aren’t doing the day-to-day work.

How do you manage a board with demanding schedules?
You can use scheduling tools like Doodle and utilize Zoom to accommodate schedules. Always be respectful of your board's time and start meetings promptly. Work with your board before meeting to set the agenda they want.

What's the best software available to keep your board organized?
The Resilia platform has features that allow you to develop a board member strategy. One of the features will enable you to track the diversity, equity, and inclusion of your board, including a graph showing your board's diversity. You can take that information and use it to report out to funders and grantors or share the graphic within your annual report, or to other stakeholders.

When do you know it's time to change your board structure?
Your board members represent your organization. Their actions can ultimately affect the work that you do. When your board members become hard to reach, are not engaged in the work, or are not attending meetings, it may be time to switch them out. Also, if there is a gross misalignment of values or if you have board members who are doing anything unethical or illegal, it's time to make changes.

There should be a process for board members to step down from their role or “offboard.” During that process, you can also have a conversation with the board member to ask questions about their lack of engagement. Do they no longer have the capacity to serve? Has something changed in their lives that doesn't allow them to serve anymore? Conduct exit interviews to gather valuable information and make decisions accordingly.

Make sure that your bylaws account for all of these things. Resilia provides a Bylaws template developed by our nonprofit experts that you can use to get started! 

How involved should a board be in fundraising?Board members should always be fundraising. Every touch point with someone is a potential fundraising opportunity. You should provide talking points to board members, and they should understand the fundraising process from start to finish, along with the amount they will raise for the organization.

Should you consider moving advisory members to the board of directors?
If you have an advisory member that is very active and can serve on the board of directors, start having cultivation conversations with that member. Before you ask them to join, make sure you have an onboarding process to ensure they are ready to serve on your governing or working board.

What are some simple ways to reward/thank board members?
Expressing appreciation for board members is essential to managing a successful organization. Acknowledge the time, commitment, and expertise of those who have volunteered their time and energy. Simple and meaningful ways to thank your board members may include:

• Sending them meaningful emails or cards

• Acknowledging their hard work at meetings

• Presenting small tokens of appreciation like branded items from the organization

• Celebrating their work during special occasions such as birthdays

Beyond just expressing gratitude, consider creating habits that will consistently inform your board members that they are respected and valued in your organization, like a regular cadence of social media and newsletter spotlights (with the board member's permission). 

Is a large board more advantageous than a small board?
When it comes to forming a board of directors, size matters. Larger boards may provide more perspectives but can be challenging to manage when making decisions; conversely, smaller groups give members longer-term familiarity with one another's goals and objectives. Ultimately, the correct number depends on your organization. Start small with the minimum number of required board members and gradually increase by focusing on members with diverse skills and expertise. Those first three board members balance efficiency and coverage during crucial decision points and will help you grow to a larger team.

Where can I find board training in my state?
Start with your local foundations and professional development organizations that are industry specific for nonprofit board training. The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Certified Fundraisers offers board training. Many community-focused groups understand board management, board service, and nonprofits. Pay attention to universities and student government associations, fraternities, and sororities. They're nonprofits, and they have board structures. AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps are great options as well.

You can also find board management training and solutions by logging in or signing up for the Resilia Nonprofit Platform. There, you’ll also gain access to everything nonprofits need to succeed, from strategic planning guidance right through to fundraising assistance and marketing support.