While serving as a nonprofit board member can be a valuable and rewarding experience, both for the individual and for the organization, it is also a significant responsibility. In order to make an effective contribution, prospective board members must understand exactly what will be involved before making a commitment. Here are three steps to take if you are considering joining a board:
1. Research the organization. Just as you would never accept a job without researching the company, you should never join a board without doing your due diligence on the organization. This means reading bylaws to understand board structure and member terms, reviewing meeting minutes and financial statements to get a sense of the current state of the organization, and looking at any major documents, such as a strategic plan.
2. Identify your own skills. Nonprofit organizations need board members who are passionate about their cause, but even more importantly, they need board members with specific skills to help them move forward. Clarifying what skills you can bring to your board position, and understanding what skills the organization is looking for, will help you decide whether or not you can make a worthwhile contribution.
3. Do a trial run. Before you sign up for a long-term board role, it can be a good idea to start with a trial run. Join a smaller committee or help plan a board-related function before jumping in head-first.
