So you got the call asking you to run for the board. Or perhaps you answered
the call by inquiring about board positions. In any case, there you are
sitting in a board meeting one afternoon wondering “Why?”
“How?” “Are we having fun yet?”
People like us serve on more than 23,000 non-profit boards in Maryland
alone. We all have a critical role in each organization’s success
in reaching its mission – in helping our communities. So how do
we ensure we are:
3 Steps to Getting the Most
Step 1: Get matched with the right job and the right organization
It sounds like, and is, a lot like finding the right job. But
in some ways it’s more serious. For whether you are on the board
of a small community group, the chapter of your professional society,
a statewide charitable organization or a national organization, you
have important legal and fiduciary responsibilities that require a commitment
of time, skill, and resources. Many volunteers do not understand that
a volunteer position comes with responsibility and accountability.
For a useful checklist in choosing the right organization check out
Tips to Make Your Volunteer Position the Best
Experience.
Step 2: Know what’s expected in your new role
Non-profit organizations should have a volunteer position description.
If they don’t, then make sure you have a letter or memo of understanding
that outlines what they think you will do and what you are committed
to doing. Be clear on policies and rules.
For all organizations though there are standard
expectations. For example, boards are responsible for assuring the
organization has sound fiscal and management policies, that is fulfills
its mission, and that it meets the appropriate needs of its members.
Step 3: Make a Commitment to Yourself
If you decide you really want to and can commit the time to serving
on a board, make sure you make a commitment to yourself first. That
personal commitment is to be the best volunteer you can be – and
there are plenty of resources
to turn to.
Nationally, BoardSource offers comprehensive
resources from training to books to networking.
Locally, you can find state-based association of non-profit organizations
like Maryland NonProfits.
Also check on community colleges who offer low-cost training. For example
the Anne Arundel Community College offers an excellent series of short
courses through their Non-profit
Leadership Development program.
Mariner Management & Marketing offers board leadership training
and development, strategic planning and board retreats as well as one-on-one
coaching and mentoring and group training. Contact
us for more information.
Serving on the board of your professional or trade association, religious
or fraternal organization or the club or charity can be a rewarding
experience. To help make it so, be sure the job fits, the mission is
compelling and you invest in sharpening the right skills and knowledge.
This is excerpted from an article written by Mariner that appeared
in the May 2004 issue of Business Monthly.
Tips to Make Your Volunteer Position the Best Experience
Pick the right organization and the right board position by doing your
homework before you say yes.
1. Check out the organization:
- Learn the organization’s mission, vision and goals.
- Review its strategic plan and find out if the plan is being implemented
or simply a paper document.
- Learn the organization’s programs and services and how well
they are delivering them.
- Check into the organization’s financial condition.
- Meet and spend time talking with the board’s president and
other board members to get a clear sense of who the organization really
is and how they work as a board.
- Attend a board meeting.
- Read the position description and discuss it with board members
to see how closely it follows reality. (If they don’t have one
– ask them to write one for you...don't settle for anything
less!)
- Get the expectations for the position clearly spelled out. (If
board members are regularly called on to stuff envelopes or recruit
new member, then know that upfront and don’t accept the job
if you don’t want to fulfill the expectations.)
2. Conduct a self-evaluation to see if you have the skills and energy
necessary:
- Compare your skills and experience with the position description.
Where you are missing skills, can these be easily acquired “on-the-job”
or does the organization offer training?
- Do you have a basic understanding of finance sufficient to participate
in budget and fiscal policy discussions and decisions? (For many volunteers
without the necessary knowledge, simply being willing to raise your
hand and ask questions until you are informed enough to be a part
of the decision-making satisfies this important role.)
- Do you have the necessary time to devote to this position?
- Are you really interested in the mission of the organization enough
to fulfill your duties even after the end of a long hard week?
3. Jump in with both feet, head and heart!
- Go to the board orientation – and ask questions.
- Ask yourself what you want to accomplish in this position, then
set goals for yourself and track them.
- Put the board meetings, prep time and other activities in your planner
right away. Make it a part of your life rather than a last minute
effort that is always more laborious and produces anxiety.
- Re-assess your commitment to the mission and organization before
you are asked to take a second term … and be comfortable with
saying no if you need to.
A Non-profit Board Member’s Basic Responsibilities
As a member of the board, you will be responsible for assuring:
- The organization has sound fiscal and management policies;
- The organization fulfills its mission; and
- The organization continually meets the appropriate needs of its
members.
As a member of the board, you will be need to:
- Be fully knowledgeable of the organization’s mission, vision
and structure.
- Be well-versed in the organization’s programs and services
and its members’ needs so you can make sound decisions on programs,
services and budgets.
- Have at least a basic understanding of sound fiscal practices and
financial statements.
- Commit to attending meetings and to being fully prepared for those
meetings (it’s not enough to simply show up and it’s irresponsible
to take a board position and not attend the meetings).
- Commit to spending time outside board meetings engaged in the organization
(many small boards require members to attend events, recruit members,
plan events, execute programs, etc.).
- Be accountable to the board and your members, and demand accountability
from fellow board members.
- Commit to board training and evaluation (too many boards neglect
to set standards for the overall board and for individual member performance
and do not conduct annual evaluations).
