Best Nonprofit Board Development Techniques

What is a Perfect Nonprofit Board of Directors, and Why Is It Important?

A nonprofit organization’s governing body is its board of directors. It consists of a group of people who meet regularly or semi-regular to discuss and make decisions for the organization they represent. In the context of a nonprofit, these are unpaid volunteers.

They manage (or personally participate in) nonprofit activities, strategic decision-making, effectiveness reviews, and more. They are primarily concerned with strategy, responsibility, and oversight.

A nonprofit board of directors’ responsibilities include the following:

• First, ascertain if the nonprofit has the resources to achieve its objective.
• Ensure that the nonprofit complies with all applicable rules and regulations and its bylaws.
• Ascertain that the nonprofit is pursuing activities that support its objective.
• Ensure that choices are made with the nonprofit’s best interests in mind.

Nonprofit board development is an integral aspect of an organization’s overall health.

What are the Board Types?

While every nonprofit organization requires a board of directors, the type used depends on the organization’s size and goals. The members include the treasurer/accountant, fundraising chair/grants/sponsorships, and communications chair/marketing/social media. You can pick from:

A Working Board

A functioning board is more involved in day-to-day activities. They are unpaid employees. They are the backbone of your company, responsible for fundraising, project management, and more.

For this form of board, members must be devoted to doing work, not merely attending meetings and voting. This form of nonprofit board development is typical among young or tiny NGOs lacking funds to pay professional personnel.

A Governing Board

This is another type of nonprofit board development where a governing board is more like a board of directors. They manage operations, finances, and legal difficulties. They frequently work outside the home and attend meetings and make decisions.

Governing boards are prevalent in established NGOs with paid personnel. They supervise and maintain smooth operations, not to participate in them.

The Size of the Boards

The size of a board varies depending on the organization and the strategy used for the nonprofit board development purpose. However, no more than 15 members are advised to be on it. A panel with too few members may lack the diversity and viewpoint that more members would bring.

So, a board should be big enough to get things done yet small enough to communicate, make decisions and work as a team.

Consider your organization’s size and needs before choosing board size. Smaller nonprofits can get along with 5 or 7 members. However, if you are a more prominent nonprofit that requires more strategic planning and decision-making, 9-13 may be ideal.

What is the Recruitment Process for Board Members?

Recruitment is imperative for a nonprofit board development plan to kickstart completely. A nonprofit board’s recruitment procedure is comparable to hiring. You want leaders with skills and viewpoints aligned with your goal, cause, and values.

A team with various skill sets, expertise, education, and connections should be built by recruiting multiple applicants. Successful boards are created with these considerations. Make your board a sturdy one!

Identify your requirements

Knowing what type of profile, you need for your nonprofit board development will help you focus your recruitment efforts. We recommend conducting a needs analysis of your company to determine the ideal board members.

You may require tax counsel, HR expertise, event management assistance, or policy knowledge. Consider applicants who are passionate about your cause and have the abilities and credentials to meet your demands. Passion and motivation are essential, but so are competence and experience. Defining your needs can help you identify the ideal candidate who combines passion and need.

Whom to Recruit

Multiple factors are considered when selecting applicants. First, of course, you want to pick the appropriate people to assist you in creating your company from scratch. So, background and experience are essential. But personal traits also play a role in candidacy. Consider the following features while making your choice:

1. Passion

   People who genuinely support your cause. Relationships and devotion to your business will flourish if you invest more deeply.

2. Diversity

   To construct a balanced board, you need members with diverse experiences, specialties, and perspectives.

3. Work ethic

   People who can set and achieve goals can help you build a reliable board. It’s crucial to know that your board members will show up and work!

4. Attitude

   Positive attitudes make an excellent working environment. Finding people who are team-oriented and can cooperate reasonably would improve board culture and decision-making.

5. Flexibility

   While some candidates may be passionate about your cause, they may not be the ideal fit for your organization. Attendance at board meetings is vital. Finding candidates who are flexible and have the time to serve on your board would be beneficial.

Each nonprofit’s board is unique. Of course, you decide what qualities you’ll need, but we hope this helps.

Remember Diversity

It’s critical to consider diversity when recruiting and selecting board members. If your nonprofit board development strategy is about having a board with similar backgrounds, hobbies, jobs, or education, you may be limiting your ideas.

Having a diverse board will assist your nonprofit get new viewpoints, experiences, and even new contacts. In addition, various backgrounds and expertise help develop a stronger board.

A diverse board can help with decision-making by allowing you to view the broader picture of future opportunities or risks.

Diversity can also help you better understand cultural differences and community needs and recruit new board members and supporters. Conversely, lack of diversity on a board might make it challenging to recruit new members or extend an existing board.

You will know what is required to promote your cause when your board appropriately reflects the community or the cause you choose to serve.

Form your Board

If you want nonprofit board development to happen quickly, we recommend that you recruit your first board of directors early so that you could have all the advantages to building a strong board of directors on your side. Consider what possible candidates may provide to your organization and if they are interested in serving.

When you’re ready, spread the news! Starting a nonprofit requires abroad, so reaching out to people in your community or even your circle might be beneficial. A referral can lead to potential coworkers, volunteers, community advocates, and altruistic business people.

Since you are a new organization, you may need to hunt for volunteers through your city’s website or community centers. Board Match, Board Net USA, and The BridgeSpan Group are all online tools. If you use social media, consider using LinkedIn for Nonprofits to locate applicants.

In a nutshell – How to Build the Perfect Nonprofit Board of Directors?

• Understand the fundamentals of forming a board and the talents your board members may require.
• Determine the ideal board structure for you, ensuring that your directors’ talents are matched to their positions.
• Board committees should not be overlooked! They can be a practical approach to put board members’ expertise to work while also improving results.
• Ascertain that your board members understand their duties and obligations. Reviewing and signing a board “contract” can be a practical approach to ensure everyone understands what is expected and required.
• Develop a sound board orientation and training procedure to get new board members off to a good start or re-engage your existing board members.
• Learn how to run productive and efficient board meetings, including the best ways to take meeting minutes.

Hope this article has shared some insight into how to form your nonprofit board. Always remember, the key to building a solid nonprofit foundation is in choosing the right board members for your nonprofit. For more information on how to build a strong nonprofit board, contact us today.