Recruiting & Orienting Board Members Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center April 2012 by Lettie Haver
Overview O Ongoing Process Energy -> Process -> Board -> Mission O Offer Support O Welcome Change
from The Board Building Cycle, by Marla J. Bobowick, Berit Lakey, and Sandra R. Hughes, Copyright 2000, National Center for Nonprofit Boards. For more information about NCNB (now BoardSource) call or visit
5 Questions First O Where are they? O How long does this take? O Whose job is it? O Where do we begin? O How do we engage them?
Define Engagement O Time O Financial O Governance O Talent O Blood, sweat, tears
Start where you are. Recruit for where youre going. O Board Culture O Life Cycle O Structure O Energy O Mission O Knowledge, skills, abilities O Personality O Influence/Access O Energy/Focus
Diversify For all the right reasons.
Who does what? O Board Chair O Nominating /Governance Committee O Whole Board O Executive Director
Growing a Board Member O Selecting O Cultivating O Establishing O Nurturing O Permaculture
Where are they? O Right in front of you? O Next door? O In community programs? O Online?
Offer Support O Training and orientation O Encourage mentorship O Ongoing education
Welcoming Board O Fresh perspective O Challenge assumptions O Meaningfully engage O Build relationships O Enact change
Recruitment Tools O Board evaluation O Strategic plan O Dream board description O Board profile O Inclusion case statement and plan O Candidate info sheet O Application O Job description O Contract or Agreement form O Exit Interview O Board Development Plan
Orientation Tools O Board member information O Executive Director bio O Organizational Chart O Responsibilities O Officer job descriptions O Committee charters & members O Articles, bylaws, 990, D&O, policies O Organizational history O Board development plan
Sources Best of Board Café: Jan Masaoka Recruiting a Stronger Board: BoardSource The Board Building Cycle: BoardSource Five Good Ideas: Practical Strategies for Non-profit Success Step by Step Board Recruitment Kit! Additional sources available as links online