An aspiring director recently asked for advice on how to choose the right non-profit board position. It was such a refreshing change, given that most people target a paid board seat right away.
Even if you are a well-connected CEO, however, no board wants to be your first. We all begin somewhere and most of us find our feet with non-profit organizations.
You can choose the right non-profit board for you, beginning with 3 strategies:
Choose an organization that aligns with your values and really matters to you
Board work in the non-profit space can be a bit of a goat rodeo. It’s only worthwhile if you firmly believe in the organization’s purpose. Otherwise, you will resent the time and money you give to the cause.
Treat your non-profit search like a job search
Cast a wide net and meet with as many nominations committees as possible before making a commitment. Some boards won’t want to speak with you and others will be too eager.
It’s a bit like dating. You will screen as much as you’ll be screened. After kissing some frogs, you’ll know which non-profit board is right for you.
Get clear about what you want out of the experience
What skills do you want to develop? What networking opportunities will help you in other areas of your life? I don’t mean to sound selfish, but it has to be about more than making the world a better place.
As I said in a recent post, there is an art to networking via non-profit board service. If you are keen to join a specific corporate board, look at the current directors. Develop a list of the non-profit boards that claim their time. Those non-profit boards can be your gateway to paid board positions.
What have you learned through your non-profit board experience?
