Three Steps to Take before Joining a Nonprofit Board

Merrill Lynch director and executive Anthony Bland is an experienced investment management professional and a dedicated volunteer board member. Over the course of his career, Anthony Bland has served on the boards of directors of many organizations in the Fort Lauderdale area, including Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Museum of Discovery and Science.

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.

The Museum of Discovery and Science School Outreach Programs

The recipient of an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Anthony Bland is a market executive and managing director with Merrill Lynch Global Wealth & Investment Management in Fort Lauderdale. Away from his professional pursuits, Anthony Bland was once a member of the board of directors of the Museum of Discovery and Science. 

Established in 1977 by the Junior League of Fort Lauderdale, the Museum of Discovery and Science is visited by more than 450,000 people each year. Through its various exhibits and events, the museum is a great place for young people to engage in hands-on learning. However, students do not necessarily have to visit the museum to take advantage of its services, thanks to the Museum on Wheels program.

The Museum on Wheels can provide programming to as many as 120 students if the school has space. Smaller classroom outreach programs are appropriate for 30 or fewer students.

Eight different programs are available. For example, the CSI: Investigation program, for Grades 4 through 8, teaches students how to apply scientific methods to solve problems. Other programs include Crazy Chemistry, Arthropod Adventure, and Cold-Blooded Critters.

Museum of Discovery and Science Hosts Discovery after Dark Events

As managing director and market executive with Merrill Lynch Global Wealth and Investment Management, Anthony Bland leads six wealth management offices in Florida’s Broward and Dade counties. Committed to serving his community outside of work, Anthony Bland formerly sat on the board of directors for the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in Fort Lauderdale. 

MODS features a new program just for adults called Discovery after Dark. A quarterly series of science-focused nights out for people who are 21 or older, Discovery after Dark allows participants to mingle with other science-lovers while enjoying delicious food and adult beverages.

The museum’s inaugural event, Science of Beer, was held on November 8. The next event, slated for January 24, 2019, is Design Zone, which investigates the design involved in the arts, extreme sports, and entertainment industries. Other upcoming Discovery after Dark programs include Kaboom - Explosive Science (April 25) and Hall of Heroes (July 18). All of the adults-only evening events are held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friends of MODS members are eligible to attend one Discovery after Dark session for free.

Museum of Discovery and Science’s Immersive Rescue Exhibit

An established presence in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, financial community, Anthony Bland holds leadership responsibilities with Merrill Lynch Global Wealth & Investment Management and Bank of America. Active in support of a number of causes, Anthony Bland previously served on the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Discovery and Science.

One of the well-received offerings of the museum in 2018 was the Rescue Exhibit. It provided visitors with interactive insight into the ways in which rescue teams employ advanced skills and technological resources to accomplish goals in high-impact scenarios.

Sponsored by Holy Cross Hospital, the exhibit encompassed land, air, and sea rescue, with immersive scenarios including locating a missing person and ensuring that a family safely escaped a burning home.

A core focus was on the way in which teamwork between professionals with specialized areas of knowledge and training is necessary when coordinating intensive efforts. Activities also developed understanding and knowledge of the various technologies that are utilized within front-line efforts that require equal parts bravery, daring, and digital savvy.