All Aboard: Become a Board Member

by Alison Buttenheim, Los Angeles Business Journal

Even the most successful entrepreneurs and executives often desire a level of civic involvement that their jobs do not provide. There are many ways to meet this need: coaching a Little League team, cooking meals at a church soup kitchen, or mentoring a high school student. For those who have enjoyed building a company or managing a team, however, serving on the board of directors of a nonprofit agency is a particularly satisfying way to get involved.

So what's in it for you?
Here are just a few of the opportunities available to you as a board member:

1. Contribute to a cause you care about in a high-impact way. Strong organizations depend on strong boards. If you have a passion for a cause, such as community development, animal rights, helping the mentally ill, or promoting the arts, serving on the board of an organization gives you the leverage to really make a difference. Brenda Ross-Dulan, Vice President and Regional Manager of Corporate Community Development for Wells-Fargo Bank, chair of the board of Community Financial Resource Center , an economic development organization, and member of the boards of the Greater Los Angeles African-American Chamber of Commerce and the Latin Business Association, appreciates seeing the impact that these organizations can have. "It is wonderful to see nonprofit groups translate the dollars we give into real solutions for real people."
2. Gain important skills. Board members are expected to actively participate in strategic planning, financial management, and fundraising. While you may have experience in these areas from your for-profit job, applying your skills in the nonprofit context will require you to think in a new way. Laurence Karsh, a board member at the Center for Nonprofit Management and a management consulting executive at the Hay Group in Los Angeles, enjoys this opportunity. "I spend much of the day tackling complex issues in my field. At the Center, I have the chance to focus on different types of problems where there may be no existing analytic frameworks, but there is the possibility of real progress. As a board, we must think creatively to generate practical and workable solutions. I have never gone away from a project or meeting without learning something useful."
3. Expand your network. Your fellow board members, the staff of your organization, and its funders, donors and clients will expand your personal and professional network considerably. Indeed, many companies encourage promising employees to get involved on a nonprofit board specifically for this reason. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you may find new customers or even a future business partner or colleague. Maria Contreras-Sweet, California Secretary of Business, Housing and Transportation and a board member of the California Endowment, the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and Hispanas Organized for Political Equity (HOPE), reports that her favorite part of serving on a board is the comradery she shares with fellow directors. "I meet people with similar values and commitments, and they make good friends. These are relationships that last a long time."
4. Connect with your community in a new way. You may have lived in your city for many years, but never learned much about the social service and cultural organizations that support the disadvantaged or enrich lives. Getting involved as a nonprofit board member can offer a new perspective on the economic challenges and social realities encountered by many in your community. Laurence Karsh notes, "I spend a great deal of time away from home with my clients, and I am also very committed to spending time with my family. But my involvement with the Center for Nonprofit Management is extremely important to me. I want to know what is going on in and contribute in a constructive way to our community. The best way I know how to do that is to leverage my business skills to improve the management effectiveness of nonprofits."
5. Teach your children about community service. For Contreras-Sweet, board service is about teaching by example: "I talk to my daughter a lot about my volunteer time, since I can't be with her during those times. I hope I'm instilling important values in her, like caring and commitment."
6. Give back. Most board members are strongly motivated by this aspect of board service. "I have been blessed," acknowledges Dennis Luna, a partner in the law firm of Richman, Luna, Kichaven & Glushon, and a member of the boards of the Center for Nonprofit Management and __. "Many community organizations have helped me and my family along the way, so I'd like to be able to give back to the community." Ross-Dulan also acknowledges that "my involvement is based upon my need to give back to the community around me."

Of course, being a board member requires a serious commitment.
Directors have five important responsibilities that they should assume with enthusiasm when they join a board.

1. First and foremost, board members must understand their fiduciary responsibility to the organization. The board is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the nonprofit organization meets legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements, and is charged with the appropriate stewardship of the organization's resources.
2. Second, being on a board requires a commitment of time. Directors should expect to attend monthly or bi-monthly meetings and participate on one or more committees.
3. Most nonprofits will also ask board members to "give or get" financial contributions to support the work of the organization.
4. One of the valuable assets you bring to a board is your network of personal and professional contacts. You should be willing to share your rolodex with the organization to bring in money and other needed resources
5. Finally, be generous with your expertise. If you are a lawyer, an accountant, a consultant, or other professional, your organization will welcome your input on important issues. Boards thrive on diversity, so figure out whatever unique skill you have to contribute and don't be shy.

If serving on a board appeals to you, and you are ready to make the commitment, the next step is to match yourself with the right organization. Rather than wait for an organization to approach you, be proactive. Let community leaders know of your interest. Visit community fairs and volunteer centers to find out who needs your help. If you are interested in a particular issue or community, find out what groups are active in those areas and offer help on a project as a way of getting to know each other.

If possible, sit in on a board meeting before officially becoming a candidate or joining a board. Notice what works and what doesn't, and try to imagine how you could contribute to the success of the organization. Don't wait to find a perfect board, of course, but look for one that is a good fit with your interests and expertise. Whether you join the board of a small start-up nonprofit organization or large established agency, board service is a productive and rewarding way to serve your community.