Pros and Cons of Board Membership
The benefits of being a Board Member are numerous and varied. The privilege of working with other extraordinary people who are committed to the mission of your organization is a great feeling. You can make connections that will benefit you in your professional and personal life. Board service can also be a great way to gain insight from other people’s views and challenge your own. You can use your expertise to make a positive impact to the community, or assist in the creation of new ventures.
Having a talented group of Board Members is critical to an organization’s success. Boards typically require a variety of skills to guide strategy policies, financial management, and more. In fact, some companies have a specific job on the Board for a particular expertise, such as a communications expert or someone who is knowledgeable about business finances. Recruiting Board Members who are willing to be a part of these subcommittees could be one way an organization can acquire the talent it needs to reach its goals.
Cons of Board Membership
Although the benefits outweigh cons, it’s important to keep in mind that being Board Members is a serious commitment, and comes with legal obligations that should be treated with respect. It’s a time-consuming and sometimes challenging job that takes a lot of energy and skill. Long-standing board members can provide the knowledge of institutions which will be invaluable as an organization grows.
During the initial phase of recruitment, it is important to understand the reason a candidate wishes to join your Board. It’s easy to identify those who are merely padding their resume or trying to advance their own career goals, but you can also detect genuine enthusiasm for the cause. If you can discern the genuine interest of a candidate in the cause, they’ll be more likely to give their full focus and effort.