Board Recruitment: Top 10 Places to Search
Nonprofit board recruitment can be difficult. Where do you find prospective board members? Are effective, responsible board members as elusive as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? When you take a systematic approach to board recruitment, you’ll find the task is not nearly as daunting as you might have believed.
Before you begin recruiting board members, take a few moments to review and assess your board needs. What are the skills, knowledge, perspective, and connections you need in order to fulfill your mission? What is missing? Identify where you might find individuals with the characteristics you need.
Where to Find Potential Board Members
1. Donors
Individual donors and business representatives who are making a financial commitment to your program are already invested in your organization. Cultivate their interest. Invite questions and elicit responses on their preparedness to serve.
2. Special Events
Individuals who are particularly supportive of special events may be sending you the message that they are more interested and want to increase their involvement. If they are consistently attending and supporting your fundraising events, their investment in your program may indicate an even deeper and potentially more significant interest.
3. Committees and Task Forces
Individuals making significant contributions to support groups of your organization may have the skills and experience needed for your board. If Mary Smith volunteered for the Finance Committee and was instrumental in improving formats for financial statements, consider inviting her to share her expertise in that area as a member of the board. Explore the possibilities with each potential member and ensure that each one is informed of organizational progress.
4. Chamber of Commerce
Members of the business community can add expertise in many areas. Look at those serving on the board as well as those participating on the array of work groups. For example, those who plan chamber events may excel at event planning and might be a valuable asset to the board in preparing next year’s golf tournament.
5. Leadership Programs
Many communities or chambers of commerce sponsor leadership programs to foster community and organizational leadership development. Often nine months or more in length, these programs enhance participants’ knowledge of how a community works and opportunities for facilitating improvement. Cultivate current class members as well as alumni of such programs to attract interest in your organization and to provide information on your progress.
6. Neighborhood Associations
Many homeowners or residents are well prepared for board service. They may have participated in neighborhood groups to coordinate everything from playground development and beautification to crime prevention. Review neighborhood groups in your area and encourage those in leadership positions to learn more about your organization.
7. Business Newspapers
Scan business sections of your local newspapers as well as the business publications for columns that report on new businesses and promotions among management level staff. Stay in touch with the business climate of your community and its major employers. Communicate with top businesses to cultivate their interest and keep them apprised of program development and plans.
8. Community Colleges
Area colleges may offer classes with a programmatic link to your organization. Strengthen that connection by encouraging board representation for college or program leadership. You may discover classes with a nonprofit focus in which participants might progress from classroom experience to committee involvement or actual board service. Board members of the institution can provide additional resources.
9. The People You Serve
Review your list of individuals and families that benefit from your services. Do any stand out as the center of a particularly moving success story? Talk to them about the opportunity to help others by serving as a member of your board.
10. Alumni/Membership Groups
If you have an organized alumni or membership group, build on their interest by encouraging increased involvement through board service. Or, consider those who have completed your programs as your “alumni,” and cultivate their interest in both the organization and board. In addition to your own membership list, local college and university alumni groups in your community provide another valuable resource for potential board members when you take the time to cultivate their interest and involvement.
Summary
By investigating each of the above resources, you’ll improve your chances of recruiting the board your organization needs. Additionally, ongoing evaluation enables your board to recognize achievements and identify areas requiring improvement.
CDS has been a leader in nonprofit fundraising for the past three decades. Contact us for more intensive help with your major gift fundraising, strategic planning, or in preparing for a capital campaign.