A great board member is enthusiastic about your organization’s mission and has a strong network of friends, donors and colleagues. They’re committed to meeting their legal obligations and have the grit to establish direction and tackle difficult issues, even if it means challenging other board members. In addition, they’re creative and bring fresh ideas to the table.
Board members are responsible for a range of responsibilities, from networking to fundraising to ensuring that materials for board meetings are reviewed and the questions are drafted before each session. The most effective board members take their duties seriously and are always ready for meetings and events. They are eagerly awaiting an agenda for a board or committee meeting and are quick to read reports and other papers ahead of the meeting. They add all meetings to their calendars and create automated reminders. They’re an enormous asset to the board.
Board directors on top frequently see things that other board members don’t. They’re able to help the CEO think through potential difficulties or issues that could arise from certain decisions. They also encourage the CEO to look into the future than is apparent at the moment. They also enjoy being able to coach other board members and receive mentorship.
The best board members are open to new ideas and are always in a desire to learn. They’re willing to take advantage of educational programs for board members of non-profit organizations, attending conferences and workshops that help them understand their responsibilities and engage with other board members who are learning. They’re also keen on utilizing technology tools that help them perform better. They’re also likely to adopt an online portal for the board that will streamline the flow of information and ensure that important documents are protected.