Nonprofit organizations rely on their board of directors to provide the mission, vision and values that guide the organization. In addition, boards assist with key functions such as fund raising, policy development and evaluation of the executive director. In short, the staff require strong leadership from their board in order to ensure a successful organization. That leadership is secured through a strong board development process.
Board development consists of the following:
Step 1: Board Member Recruitment
The best board development begins with the recruitment of the most suitable directors. Before launching a recruitment effort, it is crucial to determine the needs of the organization. A gap analysis should be conducted to identify the skills and assets of the current board members relative to the needs of the organization now and into the future. For example, if marketing and communication skills were lacking and presumed to be of importance to the future success of the organization, then recruiting an individual with these talents would be desirable.