How to Choose the Right Board Member for Your Organization
A well-run non-profit or business requires a strong board of directors. A board member should have a variety of talents, insight and experience to the table to make strategic decisions and planning. They must be able to communicate effectively, remain in touch with each other between meetings and be active when it comes to fundraising and networking.
When deciding on the best board member for your business take into consideration a range of independent candidates who know your industry and who are able to support your vision and mission. These might include experienced mentors, attorneys, CPAs, fellow entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, marketers, educators and financial experts. It is also beneficial to have board members with previous board experience.
During the screening process, ensure that the candidate is interested and committed to becoming a board member. It’s a significant commitment and it might not be the right choice for all.
You should also ask them about their other commitments and be realistic in terms of how much time they are able to devote to the board. A board that isn’t performing or is overloaded is not efficient.
In general, it’s best to have an uneven number of board members to avoid ties. It is essential to have sufficient board members to guarantee that there is quorum, but also for you to be able receive sound advice without being overwhelmed by the number of voices.