Profile of a Board Member

When a nonprofit organization decides to put a board of directors together, it must first clearly define the roles and expectations of those who will serve on it. Before recruitment can begin, the organization must define what types of individuals they want representing the organization's recipients, employees and volunteers, and of course, those funding the services.

Members of the board should be:

• Loyal to the organization
• Able to remain impersonal when it comes to decision making and information sharing
• Present at all meetings and on time
• Prepared to discuss the information presented by committees
• Able to contribute to the organization's structural ideas

When recruiting, or nominating new members for your organization's board of directors, it is important to remember to never settle for anything if it does not meet expectations, including board and committee members. Consider the skills, experience, and background of each candidate. Also remember to look for people who have professional experience with such areas as fundraising and grant writing.

It is important not to become discouraged if the nominating process does not go well. It may be helpful to identify times of the year which are easier for people to commit and do not leave the work to the last minute. Get everyone involved in the process and confront possible problems early (Robinson 139).

It is important to remember that the establishment of a Board of Directors does not happen overnight. Do not be afraid to use networking skills in order to call upon community members, professionals, and corporate connections.