As the world begins to get back to “normal,” many of us are thinking about ways we can re-enter our lives pre-COVID — specifically getting back to networking and interacting with other professionals. As a professional, you might immediately ask yourself, “What are some easy ways to get involved and meet new people?” One answer may be to join a nonprofit board or start volunteering. As a former nonprofit marketing and development professional, current board member of two nonprofit organizations, and consultant for nonprofit organizations locally and beyond, I have a few thoughts.
What is your why?
As someone who has been on both sides, I can tell you the importance of having board members that are in sync with your organization’s mission and vision. Board development is critical to the success of any nonprofit. That’s why we have board development committees. That said, the first thing to look at is not “What can this board member do for us?” Rather, you should be asking, “Why does/should this board member care about what we do?” Second, look at how the potential board member can contribute to the organization. What do they bring in terms of skills, knowledge and/or connections?
As a potential board member, you need to ask yourself, “What is my why?” Think hard about what inspires you. You may consider joining a board that has many professionals that you’d like to meet and network with, but look at the organization first. Is its mission something that you are passionate about? Why do you want to volunteer your time? If your answer is, “because I like the people” or “it’s a great networking opportunity” — keep looking.
The connection between the nonprofit and the board member is critical. It MUST be a good fit.
Managing expectations and bandwidth
Have you ever raised your hand to volunteer for something, whether it be baking cupcakes or agreeing to organize an event, and instantly had a sinking feeling that you have overcommitted yourself? If the answer is yes, you are not alone. I am perpetually guilty of this. Over the past year, I finally forced myself to pull back from some of my commitments to prevent burnout. As a mom of four young kids with a business, full-time job, and nonprofit commitments, my bandwidth was getting especially stressed.
Don’t do what I did and wait until you are at your breaking point. Instead, look at the expectations on the way in and make your decision based on facts and reality, not emotion. I am a sucker for a good nonprofit pitch, but I can also tell you from the “other side” that there is nothing worse than a board member or volunteer that is unavailable or unreliable. If approached to join a nonprofit, I encourage you to have a very frank conversation with the development officer regarding the expectations and time commitment.
To nonprofit organizations, I implore you to be very honest about the expectations with potential board members. It is easy to bend the rules or expectations, especially when we are all wanting to get back to “normal” quickly, but if you lower the expectations for one board member, that will put increased pressure on the others.
Is your board a working board or more of an advisory board? Or is it somewhere in the middle? Working boards, those that heavily rely on board members’ time and talent for the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit, need board members with plenty of time to commit. Retirees and individuals working part-time are good fits for these boards because they have greater bandwidth to carry the load. A board with more of an advisory role requires less time of its members, but their connections and ability to propel strategic efforts forward is invaluable. Choose your board members wisely.
Being a good human includes being able to say ‘no’
Joining a nonprofit board is an excellent way to support your community and make a tangible difference with an issue that you feel passionate about. In the Corridor, we have a rich community of nonprofit organizations making a difference each day, as well as countless community boards and committees. If you are considering joining a board, make sure you’ve determined your ‘why’ and consider your bandwidth to be able to commit to the responsibilities of joining the board. It is perfectly ok to say no if it is not the right fit. Giving back also includes taking care of yourself. THANK YOU for being a good human!
Anna Patty is the owner of Be The Good Consulting, LLC, a strategic marketing, fundraising, data management and public relations consultancy based in Cedar Rapids. She is also marketing and communications director at Covenant Family Solutions.
