- </a>Choosing the right people to sit on your board of directors is critical to the success of your organization, says Froswa' Booker-Drew, founder of <strong><a href="http://www.soulsticeconsultancy.com" target="_blank">Soulstice Consultancy,</a></strong> which provides training and webinars for nonprofits. Her clients have included <a href="http://www.thelmawells.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Thelma Wells Ministries</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.gastonandporter.org/sister-circles/sister-circles.html" target="_blank"><strong>Prime Time Sister Circles</strong></a>, and the <a href="http://www.tcfv.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Texas Council on Family Violence</strong></a>, among others. A board member herself for the <strong><a href="http://www.tano.org/" target="_blank">Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations</a></strong>, Booker-Drew coordinates the<strong> <a href="http://www.uta.edu/ced" target="_blank">Nonprofit Certificate Program at University of Texas Arlington</a></strong> where she also teaches several classes and writes for<strong> <a href="http://www.blackgivesback.com/" target="_blank">Blackgivesblack.com</a></strong>. This week on the <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/tag/nonprofit-insider/" target="_blank"><strong>Nonprofit Insider</strong></a> we asked Booker-Drew to talk about the importance of choosing a strong, viable board of directors. <strong>Here are five things she says you must consider:</strong>
- 1. <strong>Choose people with a diversity of expertise.</strong> It is imperative to consider potential board members who can build your organization. To have a variety of perspectives as well as circles of influence can help provide the long term stability a nonprofit organization needs for impact. Make sure you select members who bring to the table financial, legal, community, marketing, business, and nonprofit expertise, says Booker-Drew, who is currently enrolled as a Ph.D. candidate at<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.antioch.edu/" target="_blank"><strong>Antioch University</strong> </a>studying leadership and change with a focus on nonprofit organizations. Make sure that you have members who represent diversity not only in occupations, but also in age, gender, and ethnicity, but your board should also reflect the make-up of your community.
- 2. <strong>Choose people with a passion for your mission.</strong> It is important to identify individuals that not only support the director but they must have a commitment to the organization and its mission. “One of the mistakes I made several years ago was that I sat on a board because I really enjoyed the executive director and once she left, I decided to leave the organization,” says Booker-Drew. “From that point, I realized that although I thought the organization provided a great body of work, my commitment was to her. Since that time, I will only affiliate with boards whose purpose aligns with my passion.” To avoid choosing board members who can not articulate your mission to others, create a formal nomination process and interview prospective board members.
- 3. <strong>Find people who are willing to "Give, Get, or Get Off." </strong> If your board is not willing to give money, utilize their expertise and talents, or provide in-kind support, it is unrealistic to expect others to support your efforts, says Booker-Drew. Create job descriptions for your board members and set expectations early.
- 4. <strong>Board members must be willing to educate and be educated</strong>. Boards must offer constant educational opportunities to inform members on their roles and responsibilities. Each year, the board should revisit their by-laws, mission, and measure its progress. With the changes instated by the IRS, it is important that board members are given an orientation on ethics, governance issues, and their involvement, says Booker-Drew.
- </a>5. <strong>Board members should not face off with staff over responsibilities.</strong> Draw clear lines between the role of the executive director and the board chair. The board is not responsible for day to day operations. The board should assist with fundraising, strategy, and policy, and work in a dynamic partnership with the executive director, who is responsible for managing the staff. <strong>To learn more about board governance, please visit:</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.BoardSource.org" target="_blank">Board Source,</a></strong> <strong><a href="http://www.independentsector.org/accountability_resource_center?s=board%20governance" target="_blank">Independent Sector: Principles for Good Governance,</a></strong> <strong><a href="http://www.tano.org/" target="_blank">The Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations.</a></strong>
Good article. Lots of great insight.
Wonderful guidance on choosing a nonprofit board. Froswa provided training for the Garland Neighborhood Management Academy on sustainable nonprofits. Her instruction and insight on board development and operation has been invaluable.
Great suggestions. I’m in the process of helping a non-profit in DC identify talented and engaged candidates for their board of directors. I plan to forward this link to my colleagues.
That was great knowledge of how to choose a board and how to put all the pieces in place. Very helpful and a lot of other good knowledge written in your article that I can use in putting together a board for a booster club for our tennis program. It was right on time. bc
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Board development is crucial. Great article
Very good information for me cause i am in the process of selecting my board for my nonprofit organization.
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Best Regards, Alicia