Serving on a nonprofit board is a rewarding experience. When you join a nonprofit board, you gain valuable skills, connections, and knowledge to improve your professional development while providing resources for the organization.
However, it might not always be an easy decision for people considering this role. Therefore, if you find yourself in a situation of getting asked to serve on a nonprofit board, consider the following points before deciding.
Benefits of serving on a nonprofit board
Serving on a nonprofit board benefits those willing to commit to the role. When you serve on a board, you become directly involved in the decision-making process and an organization’s overall success. In addition, you get to work with other talented people and gain new skills contributing to your professional development and life. Further, many times, it offers excellent networking opportunities for professionals looking for opportunities.
In addition, when you serve on a nonprofit board, other benefits come along with it. A big one is that you have the chance to make a positive social impact. When you join a board, you serve as a bridge between a nonprofit and a social cause. As a result, people in the community look to you for the organization’s success. In combination with other board members and the team, you have a vital role in making a critical impact in your community.
That said, it’s vital to consider a few things if you get asked to serve on a nonprofit board. It’s not a commitment you should undertake without thought. The following 5 points should help you make the determination one way or another.
1. Think if you are willing to put in the work for a board position
One of the critical qualities you need to possess as a board member is a willingness to put in the work. Many responsibilities come with serving on a board. And you must be willing to prioritize them to help your nonprofit achieve its goals. Boards must dedicate time, energy, and attention toward strategy, fundraising, and more. If you’re not interested in putting in the work required, it may not be worth joining for this type of position.
Unfortunately, it’s no secret in the nonprofit sector that people often serve on the board and provide little value. You don’t want to be one of those people. So, if you choose to serve on a board, don’t just think of it as something nice for your resume. Instead, consider the responsibility you have to make a difference in the community. Make it a point to take your commitment to serve seriously and offer your expertise and work effort for success.
2. Consider the personal time commitment for serving on a board
The personal time commitment of board members varies depending on the nonprofit. Some nonprofit boards require board members to attend meetings bi-monthly, while others have board meetings once a month or even weekly. If you consider joining a nonprofit board, ask how much time you need to spend and your responsibilities.
Further, a board member might also have to complete other tasks that involve time commitments. For instance, if it’s an active board, you might get asked to join a committee. Also, you could get asked to host an event or provide input on a project. These tasks can take up a lot of time and may require planning and coordination with other volunteers or staff members.
3. Learning how to answer questions asked by potential donors
One of the essential roles for nonprofit board members is fundraising. There’s just no way around it, and it’s something you should prepare to do. As a result, it means that when you ask people to attend an event or to contribute, you’ll get asked questions. All board members should understand the strategic objectives of the nonprofit where they serve.
The reality is that if you serve on the board of an organization, you have to answer questions about the nonprofit and its goals. Answering the questions with ease is a skill that requires practice and sometimes even requires honesty in your answers. For example, you may get asked about the financials or why certain decisions happened. So, you need to get comfortable explaining financials and decisions when asked by prospects.
4. Volunteering—even if it’s not board-related
When you consider becoming a nonprofit board member, often, it’s not as straightforward as it seems. Particularly with smaller organizations, you could get asked to volunteer and what may seem like a small task ends up consuming a lot of your time. For example, perhaps your nonprofit asks you to volunteer for a few days of service. While it’s commendable to give your time to a program, it may not be something that you see as essential for board members.
Determining and having clarity from the nonprofit about what it means to be a volunteer is vital. Many nonprofits are small. And that means they have a lot of need for labor in helping them with everything from fundraising to marketing to programs and more. It’s often easy for board members to get activated to work on one project and then another and then another. And that’s especially true with small organizations. So, consider your boundaries around the role.
5. Fundraising is a vital board member responsibility
With most nonprofits in the U.S. operating with less than a few hundred thousand dollars, fundraising is a huge issue. That’s simply the reality of the situation. The chances are that you’re not a professional fundraiser. And my bet is also that you’re not someone who likes to ask friends and colleagues to support a nonprofit. Even though the ‘ask’ isn’t for yourself, the chances are that you have ambivalence around fundraising and asking others for support.
The reality is that the sector suffers from tens of thousands of nonprofit board members who don’t want to fundraise. However, this hurts the industry and nonprofits. Ask yourself the following question as you consider serving on a nonprofit board. Why should anyone financially support the nonprofit if its board members aren’t willing to go the extra mile for it?
When you fundraise for a nonprofit, you’re giving it the resources it needs. It’s one of the essential activities you could do to make a difference. So, change your perspective and don’t look at fundraising as a terrible task. Think of the greater level of scalability if you and everyone on the board fulfill its fundraising responsibilities. You’ll do more for more people. And isn’t that why you should want to serve on a nonprofit board?
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