How to Choose the Right Board Member for Your Organization

A well-run, efficient business or non-profit requires a strong board of directors. A member of the board must bring a wide range of skills, perspectives and experiences to the table to make strategic decisions and plan. They must also be a strong speaker who can keep in touch between meetings and also be proactive in networking, fundraising, and other important tasks.

You should consider a range of independent candidates who are acquainted with your industry and who share your mission and vision. These could include trusted mentors, attorneys, CPAs, fellow entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, marketers, educators and financial experts. It is important to have board members with prior experience as board members.

During the vetting process, make sure that the candidate is really interested and able to commit to becoming an active board member. It’s a huge commitment and may not be the right person for all.

It is also important to inquire about their other commitments and be realistic of the time they are able to commit to the board. A board that isn’t performing or overloaded isn’t productive.

In general, it’s ideal to have an even number of board members to prevent ties. You need to have enough members to ensure quorum and for the board to function, but you want to be able receive good advice from the board without being overloaded by too many voices.

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