Three Board Recruitment Mistakes to Avoid

Want to build an effective board? Glennda Testone, senior partner at Joan Garry Consulting, warns fundraisers to watch out for these common missteps. Open casting. Testone explains, “An approach of ‘We just need more board members—does anyone know someone?’ won't create the board you need. It's important to create a matrix of who you have now and any gaps present. Be aware of what background or traits are needed, and recruit specifically to fill those gaps.” Vague expectations. “Be explicit,” says Testone. “Let potential board members know up front why you want to recruit them. If they are in finance, and you're looking for a treasurer, explain this. Ensure expectations align before they join the board.” Board revolutions. If you've developed a positive board culture that you want to preserve, avoid making too many changes at once. This requires staggering terms. “Losing or gaining too many board members at once can destabilize the culture,” notes Testone. “It can also result in a lack of proper acknowledgment for those terming out and weak onboarding for those coming on. Stagger terms to avoid this disruption and ensure each member who is transitioning can receive appropriate individual attention.” Source: Glennda Testone, Senior Partner, Joan Garry Consulting. Email: glennda@nonprofitleadershiplab.com. Website: joangarry.com