Building a Better Board

Q: Excellent board leadership is critical to our nonprofit’s mission and success. What can we do to improve our recruitment practices?
A: In a lagging economy, the demand for nonprofit service spikes to fill community needs. Attracting the right leadership will strengthen a board’s governance and operational efficiency. As stewards of trust, nonprofits must develop their board’s strategic counsel to optimize performance and instill public confidence.


Know your goals and skill requirements. Take inventory of your board’s long-term plan to determine what type of expertise is critical to drive forward. What are the strengths of your board today? What roles will need to be refreshed due to turnover? Recognize that a range of skills and experiences will allow the group to quickly react to any situation. Diverse board composition will also yield perspective and innovation.

Use your mission to attract strong leadership. Does your organization have a clear value proposition? Determine what messages differentiate your cause and market them effectively. State what is compelling about your nonprofit’s purpose and where potential board members can add value. A strong identity will attract the right talent to advance your goals.

Recruit all the time, in all the right places. Recruitment efforts can be adjusted according to the board’s current needs, but should never go dormant. Establish a pool of potential candidates ready to fill a vacancy or supplement a committee task. Reach out often to stakeholders who already have a vested interest in the nonprofit’s success.

All outreach strengthens board recruitment. Educate supporters about goals and accomplishments. Take advantage of the group’s professional affiliations to reach key audiences. Use social media tools to showcase growth and share success stories.

Take care of your existing board. It’s critical to keep members engaged and to remember to re-recruit your board. Have a board performance process to set clear expectations and measure progress. Promptly resolve issues to prevent burnout and disillusionment. Find creative ways to recognize contributors who step up and deliver on commitments. Your best potential recruiters of board talent are current members—especially those who feel both effective in and appreciated for their service.

This month’s expert:

Theodore N. Scontras • Executive Vice President, The Bank of Maine

Theodore Scontras is executive vice president of The Bank of Maine, where he oversees the government, educational, and nonprofit business sectors. Scontras has served on numerous boards, including the Maine Compact for Higher Education and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). He will be organizing a December statewide event for nonprofits featuring Newman’s Own Foundation called The Bank of Maine Focus on Philanthropy 2011.