Board Life Matters is a national sounding board designed to inspire and engage the next generation in nonprofit board service.
I chair the board of an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that approaches board building in an uncommon way. We put out an open call for applications to the members of our network (young professionals working in the nonprofit sector) once a year and select board members to fill open positions from the resulting pool of applicants. (more…)
Jessica Griffin
Around this time last year, the current board co-chair of the organization I serve called me and said that based on my exceptional commitment to the organization over the past year, he felt that I would be a great candidate to assume a co-chair position. He was submitting my name for consideration to the nominating committee. (more…)
David Sternberg
One way I make certain that I can be effective as a governance consultant is to walk the walk… This loosely translates to being a board member, myself. Today, I thought I would share an experience I had as a board member. (more…)
Melissa Sines
I joined the board of our local volunteer center four years ago, looking to get involved in the community and get some more experience in nonprofit management. I’ve definitely accomplished that goal – and more. (more…)
Andy Davis
At BoardSource, we often hear from our younger members that when boards decide to examine how they might utilize technology to assist them in their board work, they rely heavily upon their “next gen’ers” for input and expertise. But what happens if your board has come to you with a question about technology needs and you are as clueless as the rest of the lot? Where do you go from there? (more…)
Part of the mission of this blog, with good reason, is to inspire and engage the next generation in nonprofit board service. The BoardSource Nonprofit Governance Index 2007 found that 2 percent of board members were under 30 years old, 36 percent were 30-49, 49 percent were 50-64, and 13 percent were over 65. (more…)
Anna Tegen
I must confess that I’m not particularly fond of New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps it’s because I don’t like ultimatums and, in a way, New Year’s resolutions are ultimatums to yourself. That said, I found myself driving through New Mexico over the holidays (a great experience—I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t done it), thinking about the year ahead (more…)
Vernetta Walker
One might think achieving inclusion across the board is a no-brainer. After all, we live in a diverse society where conversations about race, gender, and other characteristics that are an integral part of who we are as individuals are no longer relegated to hushed tones behind closed doors — or are they?
BoardSource recently conducted a survey of board members of color to learn about their experiences and perceptions on whether and how race impacted their experiences in nonprofit board rooms. (more…)
