The concept of a “Board champion” for a nonprofit organization is frequently misunderstood. Board champions do not necessarily have to be officers. They can be any responsible Board member who is willing and able to actively engage in helping the organization. Board members have the potential to help in many ways, both small and large, by sharing their experiences, skills, and aspirations for the organization. Even seemingly small ideas and offers to assist can sometimes have just as big of an impact as officer service.

To get the most out of your commitment to serve as a Board member of a nonprofit organization, think of your service tenure as an investment of time and resources. Like any investment, you need to choose wisely and strive for high performance. Our 4-part Pathways to Effective Board Leadership Series will help you assess and choose a leadership path that is aligned to your passion and capacity to serve so that you are in a position to complete your Board service without regrets or second guesses.

Whether your Board service is ending because of term limit rules or because you have determined that “enough is enough,” planning for a successful exit as a Board member of a nonprofit organization can be as important, if not more important, than all your active service time added together. Exiting the right way with thought and purpose will ensure that organizational momentum will be sustained, and continuity will be enhanced.

Nonprofit organizations generally have a set length for each Board service term, typically 2 or 3 years. The number of consecutive terms a Board member may serve can be constrained by term limits or be open-ended. In either case, at the end of your first Board term, a decision to continue or exit must be made.

There is no perfect time to decide to serve as an officer for a nonprofit organization. However, the best time to consider this option is often just after you complete your first year of Board service and have relinquished your unofficial title as a “new Board member.” Insights gained from your first-year experiences interacting with Board members, management, and staff will provide a unique view that you would not have had prior to the start of your Board service term.

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.

As a volunteer for a nonprofit organization, you can gain the strength to “move mountains.” We each have the power to give but also receive. This life-changing experience is often overlooked because it quietly hides in the background, out of our sight and consciousness. You can receive more than you give if you approach volunteering with an open mind as well as an open heart.