Today's nonprofits operate in an environment that continues to grow more complex.  Donor and client expectations are changing and there is growing competition for board members.  In any community it's about 5% of the people who serve on all the non-profit boards.  They are busy making decisions impacting the other 95% of the community in terms of availability of health care, disaster services, child care, mentoring programs, services for the elderly or disabled.  So, what makes this 5% say yes and why do they join non-profit boards?

I have asked the question in board training sessions literally hundreds of times -  "Why did you say say yes when someone asked you to serve on this board?" Over the last two decades, the answers have been fairly consistent and usually fall into one of three categories - passion for the mission, a desire to give back to the community or because a friend asked.  There is no right or wrong answer, but each reveals something about individual motivation.

Passion for the mission
Often these are individuals who have directly benefitted from the programs or services offered by the organization.  Perhaps they or a family member learned to swim, attended camp or a nature program, received a scholarship or parenting information.  They are true believes and have seen first hand the importance of what the agency does.  There have been board members answering this question who tear up and speak with heartfelt emotion about what the agency means to them. Their passion strengthens and enhances their commitment and they are a wonder to behold.  

Give back to the community
These individuals often subscribe to the - volunteer service is the rent you pay to your community - philosophy.  They believe strong families and strong organizations make for a strong and vital community.  While they personally may have never needed the agency services, they believe in what the agency does and understand the importance of the service for those who do.  Agencies that provide food and shelter and services for the frail often attract very committed board members because it is the right thing to do. In many ways they are "their brothers' keepers".


A friend asked
On the surface this may seem like a strange reason to join a board, but it is very often the reason given.  "I just couldn't say no to John or Mary".  If they believe in this cause and think enough of me to ask me to share whatever talents and skills I have, why would I refuse?  So while these individuals may not come initially because of a passion for the mission, they most always develop it along the way and are very effective board members. 

This phenomenon does tend to result in very homogenious boards.  Usually our friends are pretty much like us and when friends ask friends to join boards, there may not be the diversity that is beneficial and representative of the community or the client profile.

Sometimes we join for all three reasons or for other reasons entirely - our company likes us to be involved in the community, we come from a family that has a multi-generational commitment to a particular cause, we want to meet interesting people and expand our network of associates, develop or hone new skills, add community service to our resume or just be a part of something larger than ourselves. 

While I am speaking from personal experience, the findings from the Nonprofit Governance Index 2007 published by BoardSource and based on responses from over 2000 nonprofit leaders(volunteers as well as executive directors) indicates that the top considerations when joining a board are fit of the mission with personal interestion, personal connection to the organization, and invitation from a friend or colleague. Those are just a few of the findings in this comprehensive report which is chock full of interesting statistics on board composition, structures, oversight and performance . 

Did you know?
    43% of board members are female
    57% of board members are male
    Fewer than 2% of board members are under 30
    Average board size is 16
    Boards meet an average of 6.9 times per year 
    Boards meet an average of 16.5 hours per year.
    93% of organizations carry directors' and officers' liability insurance
    18% of organizations post their IRS Form 990 on their own Web site
    68% of charities require board members to make a personal financial contribution 

If you are currently a board member hopefully you have experienced the extra-ordinary things that can happen when ordinary people believe in a cause and commit their time, energy and resources to it. Perhaps the most affirming statistic in the above report is that 94% of board members, knowing what they know now, would still agree to serve!  That says something important about board volunteers because they often face challenges and difficult choices - phasing out programs that people depend on because of funding cuts, trying to grow a grass roots effort into a full fledged and highly functioning organization, hiring or terminating the executive director or moving the organization in new directions when staff likes things just as they are.   Board service should not be entered into lightly - there's too much at stake.

If you have never served on a board you have missed one of life's most interesting and rewarding experiences.

If you like statistics or want to evaluate your organization's board against the governance index, copies of the full report are available at www.boardsource.org/governance.

Until next time,
Pat