Why You Should Volunteer for a Nonprofit Board Part II
Last week, we discussed some reasons why you should get involved as a board member. Did you know that you don't have to be interested or involved in a specific cause to serve on a nonprofit board of directors? The fact is that there are lots of nonprofits right in your community that has vacancies on their boards of directors. A great deal of the time, they don't even require prior experience. Read on to learn more!
Serving on a Nonprofit Board Is a Great Opportunity for Young Professionals
Are you aware that nonprofit boards often look for young professionals to serve as board directors? According to the 2007 BoardSource Nonprofit Governance Index, less than 2% of nonprofit board directors are under 30 years old.
Nonprofit boards are looking for young, fresh perspectives to round out their board composition. Young adults are often more familiar with technology, which is a valuable asset for today's boards.
Young people who choose to serve on nonprofit boards will surely learn more about board duties like strategic planning and how to oversee management without overstepping roles.
Perhaps most importantly, young adults will get the chance to have older mentors with more knowledge and experience than they have.
Before Accepting a Position as a Nonprofit Board Director
While board service offers many benefits, it also comes with many duties and responsibilities. Asking the right questions before accepting a position on the board can help you be sure it's the proper position at the right time in your life.
Be sure to learn how often board meetings are and whether you need to conduct board business between meetings. You'll also want to know the length of your expected term of service.
Nonprofit board service is almost always on a volunteer basis, but the organization may reimburse board-related expenses.
Since fundraising is a significant part of nonprofit organizations, board directors should participate in fundraising. Also, to demonstrate their commitment to the organization, they can provide a personal donation. However, it doesn't have to be a large sum of money.
Be aware that nonprofit boards sometimes look for board directors because there are existing problems in an organization. Make it a point to have a frank discussion with an existing board member you trust about any current or past issues with the organization or other board members. You'll also want to know if the organization is financially healthy and whether there are any pending lawsuits against the organization.
Finally, you should know that you have some legal protection as a volunteer board director, but that isn't always enough. Be sure that they have a directors and officers' insurance policy in force to protect you from any unforeseen legal action if you plan to run on the board.
Contact Us
Nonprofit organizations fill the gaps that government agencies can't provide, providing valuable services to the community. Your service on a nonprofit board will benefit your community in many ways. You have much to gain as well, making nonprofit board service a win-win proposition. Contact us today to learn how you can get involved as a board member in your community!
