What to Consider When Choosing Your Nonprofit Board of Directors

When choosing your nonprofit board of directors, be sure to consider their various principles and dedication to the organization’s vision and objective. This is primarily because the principles, mission, and vision of an NGO are stewarded by the board members. 

In this article, we will outline the various areas to consider when choosing your nonprofit board of directors. 

• There are no IRS restrictions on who can or cannot serve on your board of directors 
• Nonprofit board members exist to ensure that management maintains focus on the charity objective and properly manages funds.
• While choosing members to serve on a board, the organization must take into account both the particular qualifications of each prospect and the composition of the board as a whole.

The attributes of nonprofit board members 

NGO board members are expected to lead by example. Likewise, these individuals must be willing to adopt the values, vision, and mission of the organization to inform their interactions. 

By and large, NGO boards often comprise three to fifty members. Also, these individuals are assigned critical tasks and positions in the organization. The three common positions that make up the board’s executive team comprise the president, secretary, and treasurer. 

How to choose your nonprofit board of directors 

As we have earlier stated, a nonprofit organization is supported by a board of directors. Likewise, the success of your nonprofit depends on choosing the appropriate individuals for your board members. Here are a few tips to guide you in selecting the right fit for your nonprofit board. 

1. Determine the need of the organization

First of all, define the present and future needs as well as the goals of your organization. This in turn will inform your choice in discovering and appointing each member. 

Clearly state the organizational needs that should be met by each director. It is also crucial to take into account the essentials that your board will work hardest to address while assessing the organization’s needs. Do you require a board of directors to mobilize funds, community resources, talents, or expertise? Be sure to specify the parameters unique to your nonprofit. 

2. Establish the necessary skills and attributes 

There are no IRS restrictions on who can or cannot serve on your board of directors. This, however, does not downplay the critical role of each member. Every select individual must be beneficial to the leadership team of the organization. 

Your board should comprise members who genuinely care about your cause. Likewise, members should have experience in finance, human resources, communication, and other critical areas. In this manner, you can effectively match your employees across various departments with a wide range of experience.

Furthermore, every board member you choose should ideally have at least a basic comprehension of nonprofit fundraising.

3. Choose the service duration for your nonprofit board of directors

Nonprofit boards generally have two-year terms, though they are permitted to accept two consecutive appointments. Also, it is quite typical for nonprofit board members to hold two successive three-year terms.

However, in the US and Canada tenures are not required by law nonetheless, term duration(s) provides nonprofit boards with the flexibility to adapt to shifting demands. It also protects the board from incompetent members and lets the organization engage with professionals who might only be able to commit a limited amount of time to board service.

4. Set up a board meeting calendar 

To allow members time to prepare, it’s crucial to decide on your board’s meeting schedule a year in advance. Depending on the frequency of the decisions that must be made, the majority of nonprofits schedule board meetings every quarter or every two years. 

For organizations just getting started, you might want to operate as a “working board of directors” and meet more frequently to decide on the organization’s policies and governance. 

5. Assign board roles and responsibilities 

Every nonprofit board member must pledge to conduct themselves honestly, maintain the privacy of all information, and operate in the organization’s best interests. Not to mention, the board of directors should get to know each other better. 

Above all, hold regular nonprofit board training sessions, adopt policies and procedures to keep them on track, and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of your board procedures.

Conclusion

The nonprofit board of directors exists to ensure that management maintains focus on the charity objective and properly manages funds. Hence, while choosing members to serve on a board, the organization must take into account both the particular qualifications of each prospect and the composition of the board as a whole.

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