<p>I’ve been asked to serve on a board of directors. It’s a charity I’ve supported for a long time and I’m inclined to accept. </p>
<p>Have you ever served on a board of directors? What was it like? Would you do it again?</p>
<p>Thank you for any insight.</p>
<p>I’ve been on the board of directors of a scholarship fund for a particular college a number of times. It didn’t really involve much besides attending the fundraisers and trying to be a part of some of the fund raising committees. The amount of involvement we put in was largely up to us. If you can co-chair a committee (for the fashion show, for example) you get big points, here and in the hereafter :). If you know anyone else who has been on the board, it would be good to ask them about what their responsibilities were.</p>
<p>in the past 4 years I grew from board of director to treasurer and then president for our HS music boosters PTA. We had a tiny budget, less than $30K/year, but it really kept me busy. It did not amount to a second job, but its a good 25 hours/mo work, directors work less though.</p>
<p>Keeps you busy, if you have not too much to do.</p>
<p>I’d suggest you ask the board what it entails–how frequent their meetings are, what each board member is expected to do/contribute, etc. Some boards expect each board member to “contribute” a significant “donation” to the charity while others are just grateful for whatever time & efforts are donated. Boards vary a great deal in how many hours the work entails as well. Better to know what you’re getting into rather than a nasty surprise.</p>
<p>My husband serves on the board of directors of a ministry organization – and on the board of another organization. For one of them, he has a few two day meetings a year that he takes time off of work to go to and then some phone conferences, etc. For the other it’s an occasional evening meeting – a much lighter commitment.</p>
<p>I’ve served on the board of booster clubs and the board of a private school. The commitment varied by organization and by the office I held. It can be a very rewarding experience.</p>
<p>There may be a financial obligation associated with a board position. You may be required to solicit your friends or business associates for donations or attendance at fund raisers.</p>
<p>Definitely check what you are getting into. I have been on the board of several organizations, and currently serve on one. Many charities are in terrible financial condition right now, so definitely understand the financials of the entity you have been asked to serve, see whether it has debt outstanding. Many do require significant donations from Board members or a “give or get” commitment. Also if it is an entity with significant operations see if they have directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance. Each of the Boards with which I have been involved ended up being far more work than I ever bargained for. I don’t think I will do it again.</p>
<p>Are you working as well? If so, does your company require that you request approval from them in order to participate?</p>
<p>Mine does (and it’s a big company). It’s no big deal getting the approval but they insist that they be given the opportunity to veto your board memberships.</p>
<p>I’ve served on several boards and serve on one now. I have also declined the invitation to serve on two others.</p>
<p>I concur with the comments above: it can be rewarding, but the expectations can vary considerably. Make sure that you are clear on the latter, and that you are able and willing to meet them. While it is flattering to be asked to serve on a board, it is important that your level of commitment to the organization/cause comports with those expectations.</p>
<p>Be aware that if the nonprofit gets into financial or legal problems, you as a board member are liable, i.e. you could be sued.</p>
<p>The main job of board members is fund raising, and typically board members are expected to contribute financially a great deal.</p>
<p>I have served on boards, and I’ve found that I prefer to help out in other ways such as volunteering to help with specific projects. I don’t like the obligations that come with being a board member.</p>
<p>I haven’t ever served on the BOD of a charity, but I’ve worked closely with the board at the not-for-profit where I’m employed for 10 years. I can give you a little perspective from the other side.
Excellent point - ask whether the non-profit in question carries insurance to protect the board if financial or legal troubles arise. Ours does, but it’s expensive.</p>
<p>Every year we have board members resign because they didn’t understand the nature of what they were being asked to do. Some prominent community members think their obligation ends at having their names on the newsletter masthead and writing a check in the lowish 3-figures once a year. (!) These folks often have involvement on other boards, and I always wonder - is that all you do for them, too? I think the small non-for-profit wants, at the very least, faithful attendance at all board and committee meetings AND hands-on responsibility for a major area of operations (treasurer, legal advisor, publicity) OR a major fundraiser. </p>
<p>One of our most valued board members is essentially broke - small income and a disabled son to care for. But she takes the lead on the fundraising committee, solicits volunteers and donors, is deeply involved in every fundraiser from setup to publicity to sweeping the floor at the end of the event. We truly wouldn’t have the strong organization we do without her involvement. Even someone without means can generate income as a board member, either through contacts, experience as a grantwriter, or willingness to put in significant effort in nitty-gritty fundraising tasks.</p>
<p>A smart organization will spell out in advance what they expect from board members. We do a board training session each year and provide a manual and e-mail updates - but even then, two or three board members will miss meetings (because of a routine MD/DDS appointment - really? You couldn’t reschedule with 4 months’ notice?) or simply not show up for the most important annual fundraiser. Some organizations may just be looking for a name that’s well-known in the community and a check each year. In my experience, every pair of hands really counts toward keeping us going.</p>
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<p>My husband is on the board of trustees at a private school which our daughters attended before middle school. The school is in the midst of a large fund raising campaign and there seems to be an implicit expectation that we set a good example by donating to the capital campaign. I don’t have a problem with that in theory as we had a wonderful experience there and support their mission wholeheartedly, but there are some very wealthy board members who have the ability to make very impressive donations. My DH felt “pressure” to make a similar contribution, which I found to be highly presumptuous on the part of whomever was applying this pressure.</p>
<p>He has enjoyed his time on the board but looks forward to the end of his term.:)</p>
<p>I have founded three foundations, am the board chair of one ([Friendly</a> Water for the World](<a href=“http://www.friendlywaterfortheworld.com%5DFriendly”>http://www.friendlywaterfortheworld.com)), and have sat on maybe a half dozen. It is not necessarily true that the main function of every board member is fundraising, though that is always critical. I sometimes bring on board members for their particular expertise, for their reach into some communities we cannot otherwise easily reach, or just for the quality of their strategic thinking or commitment. I’m a great believer in a working board, with always more work between meetings than at them. But most boards are not like that, especially those with strong executive directors.</p>
<p>Yes, I have served on a board of directors for an arts group. And no, I would not do it again. I am far too opinionated.
It was a very high profile arts institution here in Los Angeles and I know that they chose me since I would represent a part of the community that had previously not been represented on the board. I always felt that I was something of a “token” member and I can not say that I enjoyed the experience.</p>
<p>I’ve served on the boards of several local non-profits and still serve on the board of a regional museum. Some boards are run better than others. If the board is run well, you’ll know upfront what to expect in terms of time and monetary commitments. People are usually asked to sit on board because of their expertise in some area or their interest in the organization’s mission. Often it’s acceptable that you give your time and a token financial contribution. I would never sit on a board where I couldn’t give at least some kind of financial support. I’ve learned that many times organizations have difficulty obtaining grants if the organization can’t say that there 100% financial support from the board. I’ve been on one board where I was informed upfront of the range of the financial contribution expected of board members and another where it was vague. I believe that organizations should be very clear with potential board members about what is expected of them. Being on a board is a responsibility that one should take seriously. The current board that I’m on has a fair number of people who have been there for a long time–there are term limits, but these folks tend to stay for their term, sit out for a year and then return . Personally, I’d never do that. I believe it’s important to have new blood, i.e., new ideas.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your input. I’m going to meet with a board member and ask questions before I commit. I hope it works out.</p>
<p>I was on the board of my local Girl Scout council. We had a consultant visit who gave this advice - look for Wealth, Wisdom, and Work; each board member should bring at least two of these qualities.</p>
<p>The politics and entrenched interests can be brutal.</p>
<p>A couple I know got very involved with a local charity, to the point where the husband was asked to join the BOD. Once he was on, he got to see the budget for the organization. Turns out something like 95% of the money they raise is going for salary and benefits for two employees. (This is apparently not atypical of United Way sponsored organizations, but that is a different topic.)</p>
<p>He started pushing for change, and the whole organization turned on him for rocking the boat. He was kicked off of the board after 4 months. It was not a good experience.</p>
<p>Not saying every organization is like this (I would hope very few are!) but sometimes you just don’t know what the situation is until you are there.</p>
<p>I think it’s all been said. But I would just emphasize that, if you choose not to be on the Board… or if you do take the role, but find it is not for you… there are alternatives.</p>
<p>I have been on several non-profit Boards. Fund-raising is always a top priority, because virtually all non-profits are hurting for funds. I’m good at it, but burnt out from it.</p>
<p>So when I moved to a new location and was asked to serve on Boards, I declined. But offered to be a very active “worker bee”, on any committees where they might need me, etc. This is what I am doing and it suits me perfectly. I’m very involved, often asked to attend Board meetings… I am “giving back,” but I do not feel the onus of a commitment that does not suit me. And I am not taking the seat from someone who can fulfill those roles.</p>
<p>This information is good to know. Since I’m not a fan of giving my money away, I’ll pass on board of director opportunities if there is any expectation of donating to the cause.</p>
<p>Not saying it’s bad to donate to non-profits. I just don’t feel that I am in a position where I have the luxury of doing so.</p>
<p>(I drive a 15 year old car with 175,000 miles…so I don’t donate to my own causes either.)</p>