Choosing the right board member is a crucial step in building your business structure. The board of directors represents the interests of your business and their decisions could influence the work you’re doing. If a board is hard to reach, isn’t attending meetings, or is out of align with your values or the rest of the board, it could be time to be replaced.
A good board member is someone who shares the goals of your organization. Passion for the issues that your nonprofit is addressing will keep board members committed even after the initial excitement has waned. They should also have a certain degree of organizational or business proficiency and have an understanding of the basic principles of good business practice.
Find people of diverse ages, ethnicities, skills, and experiences to fill your board. This will fill your board with diversity and will allow you to provide different perspectives to your leaders. Board members should be able to play the devil’s advocate role and challenge assumptions even if the assumptions are based on their own personal experience.
Ask the potential board members how much time they are willing to devote to the work of your committees and boards. Many people who express interest in joining a board underestimate the commitment required to join and may not be able fulfill the task effectively. During the process of vetting, you should be sure to uncover any other commitments that might affect their ability to be on your board.