The Business Of Board Membership

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE?

For many business owners and professionals, nonprofit board service becomes a common way to give back to the local community. Though nonprofits are mission-driven, they are still set up to function like for-profit businesses do. Therefore, they require support in areas such as financial management, fundraising, legal and regulatory compliance and technology to name a few. However, there are also a few very important attributes that board members should develop and exhibit in order for the organization to grow and evolve rather than become stagnant or wither on the vine. These attributes are:

• Engagement

• Accountability

• Leadership

ENGAGEMENT

To be engaged is to simply be involved. That is why it is not good enough to just be present. With nonprofit boards this is crucial because showing up to meetings is only half the battle. The other half entails:

• asking questions

• doing research

• reviewing pertinent documentation

• receiving training

• recruiting other members

...and the list goes on and on.

When you commit to serving on a nonprofit board you are usually considered a volunteer, with few exceptions. But the fact that you may not be receiving any pay should not minimize your level of involvement or willingness to go the extra mile to get things done for the organization. Your contribution is unique and you have the ability to make a great deal of impact with your network, skillset, experience and strategic thinking. But without a higher level of engagement, it's almost impossible. It is also common when professionals serve on too many boards, which is not a good use of energy and ultimately does a disservice to everyone involved.

ACCOUNTABILITY

As a professional (especially an Intentional Professional), it is your job to always be accountable. Mainly, because you cannot rely on others to hold you to that standard but also because your level of accountability increases the accountability of the group. Accountability is about responsibility and accepting your fair share whether you are at fault or not. Taking the attitude of staying informed may entail asking questions like:

• What is the next step?

• What needs to change?

• What can I do?

These kinds of questions come with being engaged but also finding solutions to problems that need to be solved. It may not happen overnight and you may not be able to tackle them alone but when you take the initiative to accept accountability to move the mission forward, you have created a spark that is liable to spread across the board and ignite a flame to fire up the organization toward progress.

LEADERSHIP

Last but certainly not least, you should be bringing your leadership skills to your respective boards. That may not mean that you are the board chair or even a committee chair, but it does mean that you display the qualities of leadership that are valuable to the livelihood of that organization. If you're engaged and accountable, you are automatically leading by example. This kind of influence cannot be measured necessarily, however it is something that people notice and it leaves a lasting impression. Another great way to lead is by educating yourself on pertinent issues in that segment of the public sector or your local community and bringing the information back to the board to evaluate. Not everyone is aware of everything going on and when you are willing to be an independent fact-finder, this makes governance a lot easier for the group. Also, how you value your fellow board members is invaluable. This can be done by:

• Acknowledging them/their perspective (especially during disagreement)

• Listening to them

• Giving them thoughtful feedback

These can all take you a very long way even when the situation does not seem all that important because as Maya Angelou famously said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Make sure they feel heard and supported.

I could honestly write much more than this but I don't have the time and you don't have the patience. I hope that I have offered some ideas that are fresh and not quite what you were expecting. I also hope that something you read helps you in your journey. As always, Intentional Professionals is here to help you in other ways such as coaching, consulting and courses. Take a look at our website and sign up to receive the blog in your inbox every Monday morning.

Sincerely,

-M