There are many advantages of being a board member. Having the privilege to work with other extraordinary individuals who are committed to your organization’s mission is a wonderful feeling. You will build connections that are beneficial in your personal and professional life. Board service is also a great opportunity to learn from other people’s perspectives and challenge your own. You can use your expertise to make a difference in the training for new board members community or assist in the creation of new ventures.

A well-trained group of Board members is essential to a company’s success. Boards need a variety of skills to steer strategy, policies financial management, policies, and much more. Some organizations even have a specific board role that requires a certain skillset, for instance, a communications specialist or someone who is knowledgeable about business finance. A great way to acquire the necessary skills to achieve the objectives of the organization is to seek out Board members willing to serve in these subcommittees.

Cons of Board Membership

Although the pros of being a board member far outweigh the drawbacks, it’s important to keep in mind that the job comes with a lot of legal obligations and must be treated with a lot of care. It is also a difficult and time-consuming task that requires a great deal of dedication, expertise and experience. Boards with members who have served for a long time can offer a great amount of institutional memory that’s valuable as the organization expands.

When it comes to recruiting, it’s important to know the reasons why a candidate would like to join your Board. You can easily spot those who are merely trying to pad their resume or further advance their career goals. But you can also discern those who have an actual passion for the cause. If you can discern a candidate’s genuine interest, they’re more likely to be willing to put in their best effort.