After reviewing and assessing board needs, you can look for the skills, knowledge, perspective, and connections you need to meet your organization’s mission.

By: Lynne T. Dean, CFRE

Are you ready to tackle the organizational challenges your board faces today? If you have articulated your needs for board member experience, skills and other considerations that define a balanced board composition, then most likely you can answer the above question affirmatively.

But 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 not nearly as daunting as you might have first believed. Before you begin recruiting board members, take a few moments to review and assess 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. Listed below are the “top 10” places commonly identified as sources for potential board members.

1. Donors. One of the most logical constituencies for board participation, individual donors and representatives of businesses making a financial commitment to your program are already vested in the organization. Cultivate their interest, invite questions and elicit responses on their preparedness to serve.

2. Special Events. Individuals particularly supportive of special events may be sending you the message through their consistent attendance and support that they are more interested and want to increase their involvement. If they are participating in 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 and/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 because they 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 completing programs that you provide 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.

By investigating each of the above resources, you’ll improve your chances of recruiting the board your organization needs. And, of course, ongoing evaluation will enable the board to recognize achievements and identify areas requiring improvement.

Part of a workshop conducted by Joy Folkedal of BoardSource

Lynne Dean is a Senior Campaign Director with Custom Development Solutions, Inc. (CDS). CDS has become one of North America's best and most sought after fundraising consulting firms specializing in the strategic planning and tactical execution of capital campaigns for non-profits throughout the United States and Canada. More information on CDS can be found on the web at www.cdsfunds.com. If you have a fundraising question, please call 800-761-3833 or send an email to lcs@cdsfunds.com.