Recruiting Quality Board Members For Your Nonprofi

We all know that your board members' quality directly determines your organization's quality. Whether offering ideas, holding the organization accountable, hiring a solid CEO, or advancing the mission, your board plays a critical role in ensuring success. But the question remains: How can you find passionate board members with the skills and experience needed to support your vision?

At Solutions Matter, we’ve helped countless nonprofit founders do just that—find and recruit quality board members. If you need help in this area, feel free to contact us. Today, I will walk you through the seven steps we use to guide our clients in finding the right people to join their boards.

1. Board Recruitment Planning

The first step is what we call board recruitment planning. You need to define precisely what type of board members you’re looking for. What skills should they have? What values are important? Where can you find them, and what resources will you need to bring them in? Planning is critical because it gives you a clear roadmap for the recruitment process. At Solutions Matter, we help you craft a solid plan that will guide you every step of the way.

2. Creating Tools and Resources

Once your plan is in place, the next step is to create the tools and resources you’ll need to execute it. This includes board recruitment packs, manuals, agreements, and application forms. Having these tools ready beforehand will streamline the process and help you stay organized.

3. Launching Your Board Recruitment Campaign

Now that you’ve prepared your tools, launching your board campaign is time. There are various strategies to get the word out, from online platforms to referrals. The key here is to target your audience effectively. For example, if you’re looking for Christians, you might target churches. The strategy is simple: figure out where your potential board members are and take your message there. We can help you identify the best platforms, position your message, and launch your campaign strategically.

4. Reviewing Applications and Conducting Interviews

Once the campaign is live, you’ll start receiving applications. The next step is to review those applications and invite the top candidates for an interview. Interviews are a chance for you to learn more about the candidates and for them to learn more about your organization. This step is crucial for ensuring the right fit. We can support you through this stage, providing sample questions and helping you conduct interviews effectively.

5. Conducting Background Checks

After the interviews, you’ll move forward with your selected candidates by conducting background checks. This is essential to ensure that you bring on individuals who will positively contribute to your organization and won’t cause issues. We can also assist you by using trusted platforms to vet candidates.

6. Onboarding New Board Members

Once background checks are complete, onboarding your new board members is time. Onboarding is crucial because it sets clear expectations and responsibilities. When board members know what’s expected of them from the start, they’re more likely to stay committed and contribute meaningfully. We ensure your seamless onboarding process, ensuring each member signs off on their responsibilities.

7. Holding an Introductory Board Meeting

The final step is holding an introductory board meeting. This is where new and existing board members meet, share their skills, and discuss how they can best work together moving forward. It’s an opportunity for everyone to get on the same page and foster collaboration.

These seven steps have been proven to work repeatedly. Our board outreach campaigns have sometimes brought in over 100 top-level applicants, including retired presidents of significant organizations and high-level professionals eager to give back. You’ll find quality candidates willing to commit to your cause when you target the right people with the right message.

If you’re struggling with board recruitment, don’t hesitate to contact us at Solutions Matter. We’d love to help you navigate this process. You can scan the QR code and set up a free discovery call, and we’ll walk you through how we can assist you in recruiting board members who will elevate your organization. Stay tuned for more content, where I’ll dive deeper into these steps. Until then, don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’re always happy to help!

Rooney Akpesiri is the VP of Client Services at Nonprofit Solutions Matter. Schedule a free call using the link below.

https://calendly.com/solutionsmatter/freeassessment