How to Form a Nonprofit Board Development Committee
An essential component of an excellent nonprofit organization is an excellent board.
Begin by forming a Board Development Committee as a standing committee of the board. It would meet on a regular basis to help make sure the board was excellent. Perhaps the immediate past president could serve as the chair of the Board Development Committee. All committee members would be required to attend all meetings of the committee.
The duties of the Board Development Committee include the following:
Draft a board job description
One requirement of all board members is attending all board meetings. If a board member is not attending a meeting, he/she must notify the board chair in advance. Other requirements might be:
- attending all special events
- making a contribution to the annual campaign and
- serving on a committee.
Plan the board orientation
All new board members are required to attend a board orientation before attending their first board meeting. The Board Chair and the Executive Director would lead the orientation. It would certainly be appropriate to invite all board members to attend the orientation session. Items to be reviewed include strategic plans, recent meeting minutes, the agency budget, and past annual reports. A tour or the agency and meetings with top staff members should be included in the orientation.
Make recommendations for new board members
This responsibility for nominating officers and new board members was formerly a duty of the Nominating Committee. The Board Development Committee would not recommend an officer or board member for reelection if the potential officer or board member have not been meeting their responsibilities. The Board Development Committee would nominate individuals with a view toward assuring board diversity. Each board should reflect the diversity of the community they serve including age, gender, race, religion and income diversity.
Make sure all board members meet their responsibilities
If a board member misses board meetings, a member of the Board Development Committee contacts that board member to remind them of their duty to attend all board meetings. If a board member acts inappropriately at a board meeting, a member of the Board Development Committee would discuss this issue with the board member. The Board Development Committee would also remind board members of their responsibility to make a financial contribution to the agency.
Michael has more than 40 years’ experience as a staff member, board member and consultant to nonprofit groups that need to raise funds. Michael heads Sand Associates, a consulting firm that provides comprehensive services to nonprofit organizations across the country. He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is the author of 3 books listed available on Amazon.
How To Manage An Effective Nonprofit Organization: From Writing And Managing Grants To Fundraising, Board Development, And Strategic Planning,
The Essential Nonprofit Fundraising Handbook: Getting the Money You Need from Government Agencies, Businesses, Foundations, and Individuals,
How to Manage an Effective Religious Organization: The Essential Guide for Your Church, Synagogue, Mosque or Temple
