Gen X: It's Time to Join Boards
An accomplished professional in his mid-30s called me recently. He wanted to get more engaged in the community and wanted my advice on how to best do that. He said he wanted to help an arts nonprofit go from start-up to adolescence or to help an aging arts group become relevant to new generations. He could be a great asset for the community.What was unfortunate was that he hadn't seriously considered board service as the solution. Like many professionals in our generation, he had three myths in his head:
1) MYTH: You have to be able to give $10,000 to join a board.
You do need to be prepared to give, but many boards require board members to make smaller gifts in the $500 to $1,000 range and to then do some fundraising. Most mid-career professionals can easily swing this if they are employed.
2) MYTH: You need to have gray hair.
Most boards have too much gray hair and want more rising stars.
3) MYTH: You need to be involved in an organization for years before you get invited onto their board.
This is true for well-established organizations but many will recruit directly or only require 6 months of dating before getting married.
So, if you are an employed professional in your 30s or 40s, go get on a board. The nonprofit community needs you.
Thanks Arron for the call to join boards. Great way to get leadership experience! CompassPoint has a free online resource targeted to those wanting to know more about board service.
http://www.compasspoint.org/boardbasics
Aaron,
This needed to be said. Busting myths is always productive. In my experience, human capital (time) is as important to non-profits as financial support, if it is directed, dedicated, and consistent. There's little that's more frustrating that the "drive-by board member."
What's often best about (us) younger board members is our willingness to consider alternative approaches to accomplish the org's goals. There's always more than one way to reach a destination: fly, drive, ride, walk, etc.
I would, however, encourage dating the non-profit of your affection before joining a board because making a quality contribution will require a quantity of dedication in order to generate an impact.
Best regards,
John
John Marchiony
New Enterprise Factory
enterprisefactory.com/blog
I agreed. Nonprofit boards want diversity and experience. This is such a great way for younger professionals to apply and develop their skills, contribute, and increase their social network with like minded people in their community. However, how and where do you begin? And, what type of nonprofits need board members?
4)MYTH: You need to know someone on the board before you can even apply.
Although many professionals join a particular board because their friends invite them to join, there are nonprofit agencies that help introduce professionals to board openings. It's not a very large market.
In the Bay Area, there is BoardMatch Plus. Once a year, they have a fantastic non-profit board fair and free online listings.
In Marin County, there is BoardMatch Marin (www.boardmatchmarin.org). Here, volunteer professionals match individuals on nonprofit boards depending on the individual skill-sets and interest relative to the needs of the organziation. At least here, there is someone introducing me to a board that might be a good fit.
So, if you are an employed professional looking to get on a non-profit board, find your local volunteer center and see if they have a board match program!
Aaron: thank you for dispelling the myth. Sadly, I was in this camp. Leveraging the referrals from Virginia & John, I hope to be a Board Member soon!
This is a very interesting point. From a US perspective, am sure this would work elsewhere to.
Most nonprofit Boards suffer from the void of a thinktank and or lack the ability to direct their actiontanks.
Thanks for this post.