They are volunteers, too!
Look here for information and the latest techniques to develop your board or committee. The purpose is to help those who work or serve on nonprofit boards of directors or committees.

~ January 2007 ~ Topic

One of my students at Harper College in Illinois said, "When you're asked to serve on a board, really all they want is for you to give and get money. They don't really care about your ideas."

Too often this is true. Staff often regards board members as required nuisances who don't understand what needs to be done; who are not "experts" as they are; and who should just raise the money so paid staff can decide what needs to be done and perhaps even receive a salary increase.

Yes, board members should do their best to raise money to implement the priorities of the organization, but board members represent the community and have a voice in deciding those priorities. The board governs the organization and is responsible for making sure the mission is being implemented; that all resources are used legally; and that the organization is worthy of the tax exemption it has received. It’s a big responsibility the volunteers assume, and staff members are wrong to love them only for their money.

Jeanne Bradner can be reached at Jeannebrad@aol.com.

See our online bookstore for Jeanne Bradner's book on boards: The Board Member’s Guide: A Beneficial Bestiary and Leading Volunteers for Results: Building Communities Today, and Passionate Volunteerism.