With Your First Year of Board Service Complete, What’s Next?

This piece is Part 4 of 4 in our New Board Member Planning and Preparation Series.

As your first year of nonprofit Board service winds down, it is time to pause and reflect on the past year and start setting goals for year two. Your first year of Board service is all about learning and observing. Learning about the organization’s strategic plans and culture while observing engagement of fellow Board members. For the second year, your emphasis should shift to purposeful commitment based on what you learned in year one.

In Part 3 of this series we discussed assembling a first year Board service plan based on what you learned following your appointment to the Board up through the attendance of your first Board meeting (preparation for these early stages was the subject of Part 1 and Part 2). Most of what you learned was from information that was given to you.

One year later, you now have a new body of knowledge derived from your own observations, experiences, and interactions. Your Board service plan for year two should be repositioned to reflect these insights. To foster a perspective of purposeful commitment, I recommend a two-step approach to planning your second year of Board service centered on making realistic assessments and refocusing your engagement with the organization.

Step 1 – Realistic assessments are necessary. You must look beyond what you were told and your own preconceptions and consider what is now best for yourself and the organization. You are now in better position to align your abilities and time commitments with your evolving hopes for the organization. This is a delicate balancing act. Assessing and aligning your current willingness and capacity with your new insights and modified expectations is the most important step in revising your Board service plan.

There could potentially be difficult decisions and adjustments to be made, but if you do not make these changes your contentment and effectiveness will suffer. A few strategic adjustments can lead to higher satisfaction and more effective engagement.

Examples of questions to ask yourself when making assessments include:

• Was my committee choice the best fit for me?

• Do I need to adjust my interactions at Board meetings?

• Was my mission focus too narrow or wide?

• Was my visibility at organization events sufficient or excessive?

Step 2 – Refocus your engagement based on the assessments made in Step 1. If you are satisfied with your choices and level of engagement in year one, recommit to continuing these efforts and consider increasing them. However, very few Board members get their first year of service perfect. Plan to make changes. A small change or two can make a big difference.

First, consider changing your committee assignments. Committee assignments can require more time than Board meetings. Requesting a change in committee assignment should not be perceived as negative. The organization will benefit from your request and your satisfaction will increase.

Next, consider being more strategic with your attendance at organization events and activities. In year one your goal was to experience and observe events. For year two, shift your focus to attending events and activities that will let you provide the most active assistance and visible representation such as by giving speeches, awarding scholarships, or being on a panel. This type of engagement will help the organization and raise your profile.

Also, offer to work on a special project that caught your attention in year one. This could be your best opportunity to shine by committing to an effort that will have a long-lasting impact on the organization.

Planning Tip – The best way to shed your image as a “new” Board member is to be active in recruiting potential new Board members. Reach out to your network of professional associates, friends, and family. Offer invitations to special events, committee meetings, and volunteer opportunities. Accompany your guests and make introductions to staff, volunteers, and Board members. These efforts will have immediate and visible impact.

Expect to shift your Board service plan before your second year of Board service begins. Reach out to Board officers and senior management and share your thoughts and solicit their guidance. They will appreciate your proactive engagement and provide you with valuable insights.