A well-run non-profit or business requires an effective board of directors. A board member must bring a range of knowledge, skills, and experiences to the table in order to make the right decisions and formulate a plan. They should also be a good communicator who is able to remain in contact between meetings and take an active role in networking, fundraising, and other crucial tasks.
Think about a variety of independent candidates who are familiar with your field, and who have the same vision and mission as you. They could include trusted mentors such as attorneys, CPAs and fellow entrepreneurs. It is important to have board members who have prior experience as board members.
During the screening process, make sure that the candidate is interested and committed to becoming a board member. It’s a big commitment and could not be a great choice for everyone.
You should also ask them about their other commitments and be realistic of how much time they can dedicate to the board. A board that isn’t doing its job or overloaded isn’t productive.
It is preferential to have an even number of board members than a disproportionate one to avoid ties. You must have enough members to ensure quorum and for the board to operate, but you want to take good advice from the board without getting bogged down by too many voices.
