Board recruitment is one of the most important and challenging aspects of nonprofit work. Unfortunately, many nonprofits maximize their risks and minimize their opportunities because they look at it as an annual task rather than the ongoing leadership development process it should be. If your organization engages volunteers in your program delivery, events, or fundraising,…

As you consider the agenda for the first meeting of the board committee charged with nomination and recruitment, I’m going to suggest a meeting agenda where NO potential nominees’ names are put forward or discussed. It sounds completely counter to the committee’s purpose and reason for being, but hear me out. In the workshops I…

At some point in every board recruitment conversation the prospective board member will look to you to outline the expectations of board members. Rather than waffle or downplay the commitment (“it really doesn’t take much time”), be prepared to walk through those expectations with him or her, demonstrating as you do so that your board…

A savvy, experienced board candidate—the kind of person you would like to recruit—is sure to ask at some point in the recruitment process, “Why me?” A board that has its act together should be able to answer that question in detail and in a manner that demonstrates they are thoughtful and strategic in their recruitment….

Board recruitment is a board responsibility. One more time. Board recruitment is a board responsibility. Yet too often the recruitment duties fall to the executive director (E.D.) or CEO. They shouldn’t. While the E.D. may be an ideal member of the recruitment team—joining a board member in making the ask—the E.D. should not take the…

Asking someone to join a board is an important request and should be done in person. This is not a time to make the ask in an e-mail message or a phone call. Even if the person you meet with eventually says “no” to your request, you want the opportunity to engage in a meaningful…

If your recruitment process has reached the point where you are ready to sit down with your prospective board candidate and make the ask, give some consideration to the following tips for managing a successful meeting: Be clear on what you want to cover and who will do what – This should not be an…

We advise our clients to give careful thought to how they will orient their new board members before they recruit them. Think about the message it sends to the board prospect if, during the recruitment meeting, you are able say: “If you join the board, we will be hosting an orientation in August where you…

People don’t join boards to sit back and watch. They want to make a difference, and they want to do meaningful work. Engage them in meaningful work from the very start, and don’t make the mistake of thinking, “Let’s give him/her time to get up-to-speed.” Here are a few things to keep in mind as…