Board Life Matters is a national sounding board designed to inspire and engage the next generation in nonprofit board service.
David Styers
Did you have the opportunity to major in nonprofit board governance in college (of course not!), or even take any classes in nonprofit management (likely not)? Thus, most people come to board service with limited, if any, governance experience or formal training to be a successful board member. (more…)
David Styers
Looking for that perfect board to serve on? There may never be a perfect board, but hopefully you will be able to find the perfect board service opportunity for you. Nonprofit boards are everywhere, but sometimes it can be confusing how to join.
Often it seems boards just perpetuate themselves through adding friends of current or former board members and staff. (more…)
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? (more…)
Anna Tegen
When I left for college, my godparents gave me one valuable piece of advice. They told me, “surround yourself with people who are smarter than you are,” and I have lived by that advice ever since. I knew when I was chosen to serve on the YNPNdc (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Washington, DC ) board that I was going to be sitting at the table with some of the best of my peers. (more…)
Maya Enista - CEO of Mobilize.org
Service is the buzzword of 2009: President Obama’s “Call To Serve,” Serve-Next, Serve.gov, Serveathons, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and the increased number of Millennials serving on campuses and in communities across our great country. I’m thrilled, as the CEO of an organization that “serves” Millennials. It’s been a banner year. One important and often overlooked opportunity to serve comes in the form of board membership, an area extremely critical for our next generation of leaders— my generation, the Millennials. (more…)
Dave Sternberg
You’ve been asked to fundraise. Now what?
There are three common reactions board members have to this request: 1) sure, just give me the names, 2) I am not completely comfortable and need some training, and 3) never.
In all three cases there is a response that can create a good fundraising team. (more…)
While board service doesn’t always get the spotlight when discussing community service, some corporations – including an increasing number of Fortune 500 companies – recognize the benefits of encouraging their employees to serve on nonprofit boards (and many even offer training, resources, and board matching to their employees to prepare them for board service). I know what you are thinking…of course promoting any type of community service helps the company’s community relations efforts – but board service does more than that.
Isabel Varnado
Greek letter organizations are not just keg parties and girls in pearls, but they make for great memories and real accountability. Actually, accountability is an understatement when you are charged with all aspects of what can only be described as running a mini-nonprofit. From the day I signed my name to be added to thousands of dedicated women of my sorority, I have been charged with a sense of service. (more…)
