How to Boost Your Visibility

This week I was asked what I thought amounted to a pretty dumb question: “How can early career professionals boost their visibility as board candidates?” In response, I thought of a few questions in return.

 As an “early career professional,” why do you want to serve on a nonprofit board? Do you feel that your résumé isn’t quite adequate? Do you feel like it’s time for an upgrade in the networking department? Are you one of those people who just loves governance and would like more opportunities to extend your knowledge? Why else would you want to join a nonprofit board? Well, I guess I can think of one more: you actually care about an organization and its mission, you see an opportunity to use your skill set to make a difference, and you’re ready for a challenge. If that’s the case, then I have a few more questions: What have you done up until now?  Have you volunteered at the organization? Have you participated in any fundraisers?  Have you volunteered at similar organizations in the past? If your answer to those questions is “no,” then I wonder why you think the board members have any reason to know who you are, much less consider you as a board candidate.

 Seriously, you graduated from college, you have some letters behind your name, and now you like to think you’ve got something to offer. But, if you haven’t offered it to anyone, how do they know it’s available? Believe me; I completely understand the many reasons why a young professional would want to serve on a nonprofit board. But unless you’ve shown passion, commitment and a willingness to involve yourself in the organization and its mission, I’m not really clear on why you think they’d want you.

Boost your visibility as an individual who is passionate about the mission of the organization, someone who gets involved because of your belief in the importance of the work it’s doing. Be willing to do whatever it takes to help that organization fulfill its mission: as a volunteer, as a fundraiser, as an advocate… and believe me, you’ll get noticed. That’s the kind of visibility that matters.