Learning to Lead as an Experienced Board Member

This piece is Part 1 of 4 in our Pathways to Effective Board Leadership Series.

With the first year of nonprofit organization Board service completed, it is time to reassess and consider how to best position yourself to leverage your new status as an experienced Board member. There will be no better time during your Board service term to raise the bar on your efforts, take on new and expanded leadership roles, and inspire change and innovation through increased participation at Board meetings and thoughtful engagement with the mission of the organization.

The first year of Board service is all about learning and observing. The first year passes quickly with pressure to absorb a large amount of new information while also trying to connect the dots of governance (learning about fellow Board members and their unique personalities and perspectives), programs and activities (discovering behind the scenes details not visible to non-Board members), and operations (getting to know staff, compliance policies, and operational procedures).

To help navigate the transition from “rookie” to “veteran” Board member, view this process as a choice between two pathways: quiet wisdom vs. active leadership. This approach will help guide and frame time-sensitive choices at the front end of the transition process.

The quiet wisdom pathway focuses on individual-based engagement while the active leadership pathway concentrates on more visible group involvement. Your choice will be based on your own set of personal values and circumstances.

The quiet wisdom pathway works best for Board members who are time constrained. These individuals can step up their Board service game by attending all Board meetings but also committing to review all documents sent for Board meetings, reading financial reports between Board meetings, and having a higher level of interaction and engagement at Board and committee meetings. Active engagement at Board meetings will be the main approach for driving change, sharing ideas, and making inquiries. These individuals can also continue to give back between Board meetings by following up on brief targeted assignments to facilitate a network connection, follow up with a donor, review a contract or other agreement, proofread a marketing promotion, to name a few opportunities for individual-based engagement.

The active leadership pathway is an option for Board members who can dedicate more volunteer service time than the average Board member. Active leaders must still commit to honoring the same responsibilities as quiet wisdom Board members, but they are also committing to additional time to chair a committee, lead a task force, travel on a mission, represent the organization at coalition meetings, assist staff at events, to name a few examples of time-heavy commitments.

Planning Tip – After completing your first year of Board service, reach out to the CEO and Board chair and share your observations and ideas. Also solicit their opinion on how you can best serve the organization over the remaining term of your Board service. With this information, you will be better able to chart a path forward aligning your passion and capacity as an individual Board member with the best interests of the organization.

Remember that each Board member must contribute to the betterment of the nonprofit organization they are serving. There are many ways to do this, and no two Board members are exactly alike. Each will have different skills, capacities, and level of “affection” for the organization. One Board member might have amazing skills but also time constraints due to an over-committed professional work schedule.  Another Board member, who is retired, might have the time but not the passion for this particular cause. And a third Board member might have the time and passion to commit to the organization but lack the skills and experience to be effective.

There is no implied shame or higher honor for choosing one pathway over the other. Look closely in the mirror and determine what is best for yourself and your family, finances, and professional life. By making sure your choice is fully aligned with your preferences and abilities, you will be in a better position to embrace your chosen role fully without any future misgivings.