Building a strong, effective board of directors doesn’t happen overnight. And for your organization to shine in an economy that requires organizational efficiency and a society that craves accountability; you need engaged nonprofit board members.
Your board should guide the strategic direction of your organization, ensure your financial sustainability, and oversee some aspects of your operations. They’re the primary cog in the governance machine that powers your organization.
But how do you create and maintain an effective board? Keep reading to find out. In this guide, we’ve pooled our best resources to help you create a board that allows your nonprofit to thrive. Whether your nonprofit has been established and running for years, or you’re just starting out, this roadmap is for you!
How to Find New Board Members
Recruiting board members is an ongoing process, not a single step you take when establishing your nonprofit.
Often, nonprofit organizations only focus on board recruitment when they lose a board member. The truth is, creating a strong board means constantly nurturing relationships with potential board members. Whether you’re looking to your existing donor base or networking beyond your immediate circle of influence, you should be building relationships with stakeholders who have the potential to become stewards of your cause.
Who should be responsible for board recruitment?
While you could easily leave board recruitment in the hands of your executive director or board chairperson, everyone on your board should be responsible for researching and recruiting potential board members.
One of the best ways to include your entire board in the recruiting process is to develop a governance committee. This committee can assist with finding new board members and overseeing the effectiveness of the board.
Find out more: Explore our in-depth guide to finding the best board members for your organization.
Defining Board Member’s Responsibilities
So now you understand how to find board members, but what should their responsibilities be? Essentially, board members lead your organization. They’re responsible for overseeing many aspects of your nonprofit from incorporation to budgeting to fundraising to donor relationship management, and more. So, whether you’ve recently started your nonprofit or you’re trying to find new board members, knowing the key responsibilities of nonprofit board members is critical. Let’s take a look at some of the most common board member responsibilities.
Key Board Member Responsibilities
- Attend board and committee meetings and special events
- Know and understand the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs
- Review meeting agendas and supporting materials before board and committee meetings
- Serve on committee task forces
- Make a personal financial contribution to the organization
- Inform others about the organization
- Keep up to date on the organization’s field of operations
- Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies
- Assist the Board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing financial statements
Find out more: Board members play a vital role in every nonprofit – and these roles vary even further for advisory board members. Read this article to find out more about the 10 major responsibilities of board members and why they’re so important.
How to Onboard New Board Members
You’ve found the right people, you have a clear idea of what their responsibilities will be and they’re ready to join your organization, now, it’s time to onboard them.
This is an exciting step for any nonprofit. The adage, “A new broom sweeps clean” is true for all forms of recruitment but especially your board. New members often arrive with fresh ideas, new connections and inject renewed energy into your organization. However, getting them up to speed on everything your organization does is crucial and can be resource-intensive.
You should establish an onboarding system that addresses all stages of your board members’ involvement. Providing updated material and resources to your new board members will ensure their success. It’s important to hit the right note with your board onboarding. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Best Practices of Nonprofit Board Member Onboarding
Board member onboarding is a continual process. From your first meeting with a new board member to their last board meeting, you should have a process in place to strengthen relationships and enhance their skills. Here are a few best practices to consider when developing your onboarding process.
- Provide welcome packets
- Share your board manual
- Introduce your new board member to the public
- Focus on relationship-building
- Train your board members
- Clarify committee assignments
- Collect feedback
Find out more: We’ve put together a comprehensive article that takes you through each of the best practices above plus a step-by-step guide to developing an onboarding welcome packet. Read more.
How to Structure Your First Board Meeting
Your first board meeting is a monumental event. However, it can also cause a lot of stress. A systematic approach to preparing for your next nonprofit board meeting will help eliminate that stress and improve your nonprofit’s overall performance.
Your nonprofit board meetings don’t have to be tiresome, infuriating, and stressful monthly (or quarterly) events. If run effectively, these meetings can move your nonprofit closer to its goals. They can provide support and encouragement to your staff.
But, how do you know your nonprofit board meetings are not run effectively?
At your next meeting, look around. If you see board members discreetly texting, doodling, or mindlessly looking around, it’s time to switch things up. Board members zoning out or continuously going off-topic is a clear sign your meeting strategy needs a shift in focus.
7 Steps to Run an Effective Nonprofit Board Meeting
- Prepare the board meeting agenda in advance
- Make sure the board meeting agenda is strategic
- Ensure the board meeting agenda is mission-focused
- Start and end your nonprofit board meeting on time
- Make the meeting about decisions and not updates
- Take board meeting minutes
- Get a good nonprofit board chair
Find out more: This guide will walk you through the steps you need to run a successful board meeting, plus, we’ll give you a few tips to help you avoid hosting ineffective board meetings. Read more.
Getting Your Board Involved with Fundraising
Here’s a big question to pose to your fundraising team: how much giving can you attribute to your board this year? What about last year?
If your board fundraising is lagging, don’t worry. It simply means that it’s time to re-evaluate your strategy and implement some fresh tactics to get your board more involved.
Fundraising as a board responsibility is nothing new, but the degree of importance varies from organization to organization. Spend some time evaluating how much help you need from your board and devise a strategy to make it happen. Whatever fundraising help you may need, you should feel comfortable setting expectations and asking for support.
One of the keys to helping your board feel invested in the fundraising process is to keep them engaged and inspired. Provide them with up-to-date information about your mission and your programs.
This could include things like:
Typical board member fundraising responsibilities differ from organization to organization, but if you’re not sure where to start, keep reading.
Board Member Fundraising Responsibilities
- Connecting with their network
- Making donations themselves
- Thanking donors
- Submitting pledges
- Participating in matching gift campaigns
- Planning fundraising events
Find out more: If your board members are not embracing fundraising, you might be missing out on important support. In this guide, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about board member fundraising responsibilities, as well as some tips to motivate them.
Advisory Boards vs Board Members
It’s clear your board plays a vital role in your organization, but it would be impossible for them to fill all the roles. When it comes to advice, pulling your team out of a fundraising slump, or navigating tricky compliance issues, an advisory board might be better suited to your needs.
When they work alongside your board of directors, nonprofit advisory boards can help bring in fresh ideas, develop creative solutions, and raise funds.
Even though not every nonprofit needs one, advisory boards are powerful tools for organizations of every size.
What is a Nonprofit Advisory Board?
Your advisory board is different from your board of directors in key ways. An advisory board does not have decision-making authority. While your board of directors focuses on strategic planning, oversight, and fundraising, your advisory board will offer advice and answer questions on a variety of topics.
Usually, nonprofit advisory board responsibilities exist to fill strategic knowledge gaps in an organization. They might assist with things like finance, law, cybersecurity, compliance, recruitment, or marketing.
Advisory boards are set up in different ways. Some nonprofits use more than one to fulfill various needs. Common structures include:
- Philanthropy: Advisors network and provide introductions to encourage giving on behalf of an organization
- Professional: Lawyers, accountants, and marketing consultants may donate their time and advice to help nonprofits navigate complex issues
- Honorary: Distinguished people represent a nonprofit in the community and bring awareness to its mission
- Representative: Community members who represent the interests of those who benefit the most from a nonprofit’s work
Within these roles, a nonprofit advisory board can significantly influence long-term strategy and decision-making capabilities.
Find out more: Does your organization need fresh eyes and new diverse perspectives? Then a well-structured advisory board might be the answer. Read more about advisory boards, how to start one, and how they can help your organization grow.
Nonprofit Recruitment
Building a strong board of directors is vital, but don’t forget that your organization depends on the talented and passionate team that helps your nonprofit create real change. Almost three-quarters of nonprofits are currently facing job vacancies. But a great nonprofit recruiting strategy can make a huge difference.
Find out more: We’ve written a comprehensive guide to take you through the ins and outs of nonprofit recruiting from your board and beyond! Read more to explore the advantages, hurdles, and effective strategies for attracting top talent for your nonprofit.
Over to you
Recruiting, onboarding, and nurturing your board of directors can feel like a mammoth task. But with the right strategy, the right people, and the right attitude, it can be the key that ensures your organization’s long-term success.
Don’t shy away from setting expectations for your board members, whether they must disclose conflicts of interest, attend meetings regularly, or fundraise a certain amount. Just ensure you clarify those expectations and regularly share them with your members, with ample opportunities for them to get involved and ask for support in return.
As always, Donorbox is here to support you every step of the way by making it easy for anyone in your organization – or outside of it! – to fundraise on your behalf. Sign up and start fundraising today!
For more fundraising tips, check out the rest of our Nonprofit Blog. Subscribe to our newsletter for curated blog content delivered to your inbox every month.
Nicole Human
