Thinking About Joining a Board? Ask These 5 Questions before Committing

For those of us interested in business development and networking, one of the most common techniques we’re urged to consider is joining the board of a non-profit or civic organization. Often that’s where the advice ends though. And while that may seem arbitrary, typically the “join a board” side of the equation is the easy part. Rarely are we informed or aware of the hard part: the actual participation and fulfillment of the commitment that was made. Before you make such a commitment, ask yourself and the organization you’re interested in these five questions to see if the relationship is mutually compatible.

1. Am I truly committed to this cause? 

The most important thing to contemplate is whether you have a true passion and commitment to the mission of the organization. Next is if you have the time and energy to make your involvement a priority. Understand that you’ll likely end up giving more than you get, so being passionate about the cause is imperative. If you just go through the motions or join and then stop showing up, it can leave a bad impression.

2. What does my commitment actually entail?

The level of commitment for each organization varies, so setting and managing expectations early on is crucial. How much time will you be expected to allocate to the cause on a monthly basis? Rarely are you solely expected to show up to the monthly board meeting. In many instances there are also events to plan and attend, fundraising initiatives, and the need to increase awareness.    In addition to time, which is extremely valuable and limited as it is, there may also be financial obligations to meet. Is there an annual membership fee? What about a sponsorship/fundraising commitment? Sometimes the commitment of time and money can even come together in the form of pro-bono services or trade. Again, being aware of what’s expected of you from an overall perspective can help you determine if there is a good match or not.

3. May I see your financials?

What type of condition is the organization in financially? This can provide additional insight into what will be expected of you for both time and money. Does the organization have enough internal staff to provide the appropriate level of support? If an organization is struggling financially, there may be more of an emphasis on fundraising coupled with the burden of work being placed on board members as well.

4. Who are the other board members and how committed are they?

Due to the subjectivity involved, it can be difficult to get an accurate picture of how committed the board is. Again, every organization is different. Are you able to review board meeting attendance records, fundraising figures, etc.? If the group has a stellar board on paper, but in reality no one is carrying their weight, it can set you up for failure without realizing it until it’s too late.

5. What is the total opportunity cost?

Now that you know you have a passion for the organization, what will be expected of you, the organization’s financial condition, and who else is on the board, it’s time to evaluate if it’s worth committing to from your point of view. What are the benefits of joining this particular board? Perhaps you simply want to volunteer some of your time. Maybe you’ve been prospecting some of the board members and want to create a stronger bond with them. More than likely, there are multiple reasons to join. The final step is to determine the hierarchy of which benefit is most important to you and compare how each potential group measures up to find the ideal fit.

There’s no denying that there are many benefits that go along with board membership. The key is being strategic about which organizations you choose to pursue. Objectively evaluating each opportunity prior to making a commitment will significantly improve the chances of creating a successful partnership that both parties can derive value from. When there is harmony in such a relationship, that’s when the added benefit from a business development perspective begins to come to light.