Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center

Recruitment of board members has its challenges and all too frequently we beg for board members and engage in what Bob Dickeson refers to as “noble lying”, by saying, “It won’t take much time at all.” Or “You do not need to attend any meetings.” Or “You do not have to donate because you are volunteering.” As Bob says, “We should not therefore be surprised when board members are not fully committed. Engagement to the organization includes participation in meetings and supporting the organization’s purposes fully.”

The approach of noble lying as a way to recruit new members is wrong and does not serve the nonprofit or the community. There is a better way.

Does your organization have a written job description for board members? If not draft this and include realistic time expectations, attendance at board meetings is mandatory and a cash contribution is expected annually. People appreciate honesty and if they are interested in your mission they want to be engaged and expected to perform. .

Learn about the passion and interests of others to see if there is a match with your organization and if there is, then first introduce this person to the good work you do before asking them to serve.

If you would like to see samples of board member job descriptions or learn more about recruiting techniques, contact the EPNRC, info@epnonprofit.org.

While attending a training workshop in Denver, a board member from a nonprofit asked the trainer a question starting her comment with, ”you know, that whole governance thing – I don’t get it…..”.  Honestly, I was so absorbed by this statement that I did not hear the rest of what she asked.  And even more alarming was the trainer missed a learning opportunity to talk about governance.

So what about this “governance thing”?  The board of directors for a nonprofit organization is responsible for governing that organization.  Members of a governing board have certain legally required (fiduciary) duties, including duties of care, loyalty and obedience. They are responsible for the financial health of the nonprofit they govern.

Nonprofit organizations are public and as such are not “owned” by individuals rather are owned by the community or public of which they serve. The “governance thing” is very important. Unfortunately, too many individuals are recruited to boards without orientation and training, and as Bob Dickeson states, they are recruited by “noble lying.”  More on this in another post.