Building a Best-in-Class Board

We take our name very seriously!  Growth for Good believes that every nonprofit should continually focus on board development.  Right now we are working with organizations on board assessments, succession, and recruitment, so they can build a better board.

We are often asked what boards should do to strategically recruit new members and here are the steps we recommend:

1. 1. Assess Gaps and Skills, and Background Needed
   2. Outline Board Member Expectations in a Job Description*
   3. Create Recruitment Documents
   4. Develop a Nominating Committee
   5. Conduct Prospect Research
   6. Board Member Outreach: Respond, Interview & Tour
   7. Selection Process
   8. Orientation & Mentorship

One of the most difficult pieces of this process is drafting a board member job description (or prospectus) that honestly outlines high expectations, so that only qualified and committed board prospects apply and are pursued.  Growth for Good has facilitated workshops just on this essential recruitment document, so we thought we’d share our Board Member Job Description Checklist with you (see below). Audit your current board member job description and see if you include all of these elements and/or draft a job description with confidence. We hope this free resource helps your nonprofit board grow for good!

* Growth for Good’s Board Member Job Description Checklist – Five Key Elements:

• Overview (use branded letterhead with tagline/graphics)
  • Vision/Mission – required
  • Relevant history – optional
  • Strategic priorities – optional

• Program Summary
  • Highlight important outcomes or metrics – required
  • Community/population served – recommended
  • Brief Statement of Needs – optional
  • Operating budget – optional

• List of Major Responsibilities
  • Governance responsibilities – required
  • Financial: fundraising and minimum give and/or get – required
  • Advocacy – recommended
  • Specific Skills – optional

• List of Participation Requirements
  • Meetings and Time Commitment: Board and Committee service, events and time approximations – required
  • Terms of Service – optional
  • Other Expectations – optional

• Contact Information
  • Address, URL and Executive Director tel. and email – required
  • Board or Nominating Committee Chair name, tel. and email – optional
  • Current Board list with Executive Committee titles and affiliations – optional