1. Recruiting and Retaining Effective Volunteer Board Members
Created By: Group 8

2. What Makes an Effective Board?
Engagement
Diversity Fluid Portfolios
Respect Appropriate Size
Transparency Integrity
Trust
Commitment
Respect Communication
Succession Planning
Candor
Clear Governance
Accountability
Evaluation
Open Dissent
Constructive Conflict

3. Recruitment Process
Recruitment processes vary depending on the organization, but there a few key suggestions that can aid in recruiting the right people

4. Nomination Committees
Nomination Committees or Board Development Committees can be used to identify prospective board members
Can be temporary or standing committees that continually focus on board renewal and development
The committee is appointed by the board, and can include:
Board members
Members of the organization
Responsibilities of the committee include:
Create records documenting skills and experience of current board members
Identify future board needs
Develop selection criteria
Generate and research names of prospective board members
Ensure proper procedures are followed for recruitment, selection, and training

5. How to find prospective board members
Seek suggestions from current board members
Plan meetings and networking events for prospective members
Attend conferences and conventions
Speak personally with members who have not renewed, emphasizing the benefits you have reaped
Create marketing and membership materials for distribution to new prospects.
Partnership with board certification programs (Ex. Institute of Corporate Directors)

6. A Board Competency Matrix
A helpful tool to identify the competencies and experience of existing members and what gaps should be filed through the recruitment of new members
When identifying prospective members, factor in short and long term plans of the organization, and determine any special qualities required of board members

7. Selling Points for Prospective Board Members
Opportunity to contribute meaningfully
Effective use of board member skills and time
Convenient meeting schedules
Networking possibilities
Desire to serve
Career development
Personal fulfillment

8. Qualities of effective board members
Specific Expertise - Member diversity is important and having members with a range of specific functional expertise is essential (ie. finance, development, marketing, etc)
Experience - Extensive experience is essential, preferably in leadership roles and related to the organization’s field
Community connections - This can be important for not-for-profit organizations as these individuals provide networking and promotional opportunities for the organization

9. Qualities of effective board members, continued…
Passion - Board members should be passionate about the organization's vision and goals. Recruit members who have worked in the industry and show genuine interest in the mission
Time - Board membership is work and recruits need to be available and invested in the organization

10. Recruiting New Members
Governance committees can identify and reach out to potential board members, inviting them to a screening interview to determine if they are a good fit with the organization, existing directors and will fill the needs of the board. The following are important questions and discussions committees can engage in during a screening interview to establish if the recruit will be a good fit;
What is your interest in the organization? Why were you interested in meeting with us today? And what do you know about the organization?
Discuss the values of the organization. Listen carefully to the responses of the recruit to determine their alignment with these values.
Share the organization and board’s current opportunities, successes and challenges. Discuss how the recruit feels they can contribute to the discussion and solutions.
Discuss the various committees and their roles and responsibilities. Determine which committees the candidate may be interested in.
Establish what skills and experience the candidate has and will utilize if on the board. Determine whether these align with the current gaps in board membership.
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11. Now that you have the right person, how do you keep them? Engagement!

12. How to Engage Board Members
Simplify the process for them
Board members are busy people. Thoroughly orient them to the organization and provide them with the information they need to make progress
Keep them busy!
Ensure members feel they have an integral role on the board, and are making a difference to the organization. Allowing them to use their talents will make them feel useful and will help them stay engaged
Share both the good news and the bad news
It is important for the board to hear about their successes, as well as upcoming challenges. This will make them see how they can participate and utilize their own skill sets

13. Further Tips to Engage Board Members
Orient them to other board members: wear name tags in meetings, include a biography of board members in the welcome package
Keep minutes of meetings and distribute in a timely fashion. This will allow members who have missed a meeting to easily catch up.
Help new board members figure out what committee they would like to join
Have the board members fill out self-assessment forms periodically to determine if members feel the board is effective
Revisit the mission, vision, and values of the organization to ensure that the board’s work is inline with the aim of the organization

14. Board Culture
Culture is a set of shared beliefs and values which govern how individuals behave within an organization
Social and work dynamics of high performance teams are characterized by straightforward honesty and the ability to challenge, and are essential aspects of engaged organizational cultures
When recruiting board members attention should be paid to the candidate's compatibility with the board culture

15. References
Bayrasli, E. (2011). Building Successful Non-Profit Boards. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved from
Hoffman, B. (2013). How To Engage Nonprofit Board Members. Retrieved from
MacDonald, W. (2008). Board Development: Board Building - Recruiting and Developing Effective Board Members for Not-For-Profit Organizations. The Muttart Foundation. Retreived from
Nadler, D. (2004). Building Better Boards. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from
Wardle, B. (2003). Membership development needs you: why recruiting and retaining members should be a top priority for your board. Association Management. 55(1).