You're new to board service and ready to make a meaningful impact—but where do you start? Discover the essentials of serving on a nonprofit board and how you can contribute to an organization’s mission and purpose.
Becoming Oriented to your Organization
Congratulations! You have gone through the recruitment process and have been elected to serve as a board member. Next, it is likely you will be invited to an orientation. That orientation will include an overview of the organization, the history, programs, operations, staff and board lists and the strategic plan, if there is one. It also may include, and BoardSource recommends that it does, an overview of your role as a board member and how you can best fulfill that role.
This is a great time for you to consider your goals for board service, what you hope to learn, and where you think you can best contribute.
Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Board Member
Becoming a board member for an organization that resonates with your values offers a wonderful opportunity to engage in meaningful work, champion a cause you genuinely care about, and positively impact your community. Serving on a nonprofit board is also a significant commitment that comes with various roles and responsibilities. As a board member, your essential responsibilities fall into three main areas: providing oversight, securing resources, and setting strategy.
To learn more about the board's role and frequently asked questions on board service, check out our community resource page.
Deep dive: Want to learn more about board responsibilities? Check out our bestselling publication, Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards.
How Nonprofit Boards Are Structured
Nonprofit boards can vary in structure but typically consist of a group of individuals who bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives. The board has a variety of roles including individual board members, committee chairs, and officers such as the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each of these roles has specific duties that contribute to the overall functioning of the board.
Board committees are often formed to focus on ongoing needs such as finance, governance, and development. For short term and time limited needs, such as strategic planning or annual campaigns, task forces may be created. Committees and tasks forces facilitate in-depth discussions and recommend informed decision-making. Understanding the structure of your particular board will help you navigate your role more effectively and contribute meaningfully.
Knowledge Check: Do you know all the committees on your board? If not, be sure to ask during orientation and choose one to bring your unique skillset and interests.
Resources to Get Started with Nonprofit Board Service
Embarking on a journey as a nonprofit board member can be both exciting and daunting; numerous resources can help you get started and excel in your role. For starters, check out the terminology for nonprofits and boards, and then jump into our checklist and frequently asked questions.
Knowledge Check: Do you know if your organization is a member of BoardSource? If you don't know the answer, your board chair or chief executive will most likely be the ones to ask. BoardSource membership provides members-only resources, including advanced topic papers, our Ask-an-Expert email service for governance questions, and the Members Exchange, a private online peer community for crowdsourcing answers. Members can also take the Certificate of Nonprofit Board Education, a training course perfect for those new to nonprofit board service.
Not yet a member? Utilize our justification letter to inform your board chair about the transformative benefits a BoardSource membership can provide.
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