The pros of being a Board Member are numerous and diverse. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to work with people who are dedicated to the mission of your company. You can develop relationships that will be useful to you in both your personal and professional lives. Board service also gives you a chance to challenge your ideas and learn from people who have different perspectives. You can make use of your knowledge to make a difference in the community, or even create new ventures.
A well-trained group of Board Members is crucial to a business’s success. Boards usually require a wide range of expertise to determine strategy, policy, financial management and much more. Some organizations have a specific role for their board for a person with a particular expertise, like a communications specialist or someone who has knowledge of business finance. One way to develop the expertise needed to accomplish an organization’s goals is to seek out Board members who are willing to be part of these subcommittees.
Cons of Board Membership
While the pros outweigh the negatives, it’s important be aware that being Board Members is a serious commitment, and comes with legal obligations that should be viewed with seriousness. It is also a difficult and time-consuming job that requires a lot of dedication, expertise and experience. Boards that have long-serving members offer a great amount of institutional memory which is beneficial as the organization expands.
During the recruitment process it is crucial to understand the motivation behind why a person wants to join your Board. You can easily identify those who are just trying to pad their resume or advance their career agenda. But you can also identify those with an actual passion for the cause. If you can identify the genuine interest of a candidate, they’re more likely to put forth their best effort.