What are the benefits of being on a board of directors?
April 30, 2017 2:27 PM Subscribe
I've been offered to join a board of directors position for a non-profit environmental-justice organization. It is strictly voluntary work. I'm wondering if it is worth it in terms of polishing one's resumè; if there are benefits to joining a board? I know there's a lot of leadership, fundraising, organizing, and budgeting involved like a real job on some plane of thought. I think it also counts as work experience, but I'm not sure. In a nutshell: What benefit is there as a board member?
Thanks kindly,
RW
Response by poster: @toddles Thanks for the advice!
posted by RearWindow at 2:52 PM on April 30, 2017
posted by RearWindow at 2:52 PM on April 30, 2017
I was on a board of directors for about six months for a voluntary health and welfare organization that was trying to make the leap to tax deductible charity. It was education related. This is what it did for me personally:
1) It helped me become a low level presenter at a related convention. This got me discounts on the cost of the event, which made it possible for me to fit it into my budget. The founder let me stay a night at her place on the way back down, saving me the cost of a hotel stay. She gave me a guided tour of her home town (D.C.) and gave me phone instructions on how to avoid insane New York traffic that I had been stuck in on the way up to Boston.
She didn't do all this just to be nice. She did it because I worked for the organization she founded and she was interested in supporting my professional development in furtherance of her goals for her organization. So, I got enormous logistical support that was a substitute for money I did not have and I got to avoid all kinds of hassles, etc, that I could not have figured out on my own. There is no way I could have crossed the country with my two kids as a homeschooling mom to attend this event without the support I got because I was on the board of directors and that gave me professional connections.
2) This convention was life changing for me and my homeschooled 2xe kids. I also got to briefly meet in person (and/or see them speak) some of the luminaries of the gifted world, a thing that absolutely would not have otherwise happened. I still am casually acquainted with people (or at least one person) who will say nice things about me and sort of back me as a smart person who knows what they are talking about because of all this.
3) It helped plump up a weak resume because I had a lot of college but very little work experience. This may not have mattered, I don't know, but it made me feel like less of loser when applying for jobs. I got a corporate job paying better than minimum wage as my first full time job at the age of 41 while divorcing, which helped me adequately support myself and my kids. Maybe I would have gotten that job anyway based solely on education. I have no clue. But it made me more confident about applying to serious jobs, not just minimum wage jobs.
4) I still cite it as a stronger reference than "I was a homeschooling mom" when I feel it is pertinent. "I did this actual serious education related thing. I didn't just, you know, pull my kids from school and tell the establishment to go fuck itself."
5) It gave me other ins for educating myself and developing myself that I would not have otherwise had. Smart, connected insiders were my buddies and support system for a time.
6) I was something of a "name" for a time in some circles and that persisted quite a while, though it likely isn't true anymore. But I used to talk to, for example, someone who worked at the Gifted Development Center in Denver, Colorado and I was acquainted with more than one published author and the founder of a publishing company, for example. I was just a military wife and homeschooling mom. An entry level job would not have given me these kinds of connections.
10/10 Would do again.
posted by Michele in California at 3:09 PM on April 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
1) It helped me become a low level presenter at a related convention. This got me discounts on the cost of the event, which made it possible for me to fit it into my budget. The founder let me stay a night at her place on the way back down, saving me the cost of a hotel stay. She gave me a guided tour of her home town (D.C.) and gave me phone instructions on how to avoid insane New York traffic that I had been stuck in on the way up to Boston.
She didn't do all this just to be nice. She did it because I worked for the organization she founded and she was interested in supporting my professional development in furtherance of her goals for her organization. So, I got enormous logistical support that was a substitute for money I did not have and I got to avoid all kinds of hassles, etc, that I could not have figured out on my own. There is no way I could have crossed the country with my two kids as a homeschooling mom to attend this event without the support I got because I was on the board of directors and that gave me professional connections.
2) This convention was life changing for me and my homeschooled 2xe kids. I also got to briefly meet in person (and/or see them speak) some of the luminaries of the gifted world, a thing that absolutely would not have otherwise happened. I still am casually acquainted with people (or at least one person) who will say nice things about me and sort of back me as a smart person who knows what they are talking about because of all this.
3) It helped plump up a weak resume because I had a lot of college but very little work experience. This may not have mattered, I don't know, but it made me feel like less of loser when applying for jobs. I got a corporate job paying better than minimum wage as my first full time job at the age of 41 while divorcing, which helped me adequately support myself and my kids. Maybe I would have gotten that job anyway based solely on education. I have no clue. But it made me more confident about applying to serious jobs, not just minimum wage jobs.
4) I still cite it as a stronger reference than "I was a homeschooling mom" when I feel it is pertinent. "I did this actual serious education related thing. I didn't just, you know, pull my kids from school and tell the establishment to go fuck itself."
5) It gave me other ins for educating myself and developing myself that I would not have otherwise had. Smart, connected insiders were my buddies and support system for a time.
6) I was something of a "name" for a time in some circles and that persisted quite a while, though it likely isn't true anymore. But I used to talk to, for example, someone who worked at the Gifted Development Center in Denver, Colorado and I was acquainted with more than one published author and the founder of a publishing company, for example. I was just a military wife and homeschooling mom. An entry level job would not have given me these kinds of connections.
10/10 Would do again.
posted by Michele in California at 3:09 PM on April 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
My board work gave me the chance to hire & fire people, develop budgets, and recover from public relations disasters.
I also met some powerful people from my community (elected officials, bank presidents).
It's those experiences which make it shine on a resumé.
posted by Jesse the K at 3:09 PM on April 30, 2017
I also met some powerful people from my community (elected officials, bank presidents).
It's those experiences which make it shine on a resumé.
posted by Jesse the K at 3:09 PM on April 30, 2017
The money issue is very, very real. If it's a more sophisticated organization, there is probably an unstated minimum expectation for yearly fundraising.
posted by praemunire at 3:26 PM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 3:26 PM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Depending on jurisdiction there may also be legal obligations that come with the role.
posted by koahiatamadl at 3:51 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by koahiatamadl at 3:51 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you are interested in local government at all, any leadership in a local organization improves your position with respect to the Mayor and other elected officials. This is not to say that being on the board of a Women's Shelter will get the street paved in front of your house. It means that the amount of attention you will get when speaking up for women's issues will be increased.
posted by SemiSalt at 3:52 PM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by SemiSalt at 3:52 PM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
The money issue is very, very real. If it's a more sophisticated organization, there is probably an unstated minimum expectation for yearly fundraising.
And for a substantial annual contribution.
posted by jgirl at 4:50 PM on April 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
You definitely, definitely need to ask them about their expecations about fundraising for you as a board member. When I was young I was asked to join a couple of different boards and after I was a member I was told that I was expected to give the organization my personal money or ask my friends to donate or do 200 cold calls to ask for funds.
My response was, "No." I was young and couldn't afford a four-figure donation, I might suggest to my friends that they help the organization but I'm not going to pester them about it. Volunteers make cold calls, not Board Members, IMHO.
The Pros of being a board member:
Resume building.
Networking, even if the board/organiation is outside of your field.
Experience in small group meetings and consensus.
Learning how to/not to run meetings.
Knowledge of the finances of a different organization/field.
The Cons of being a board member:
Many boards will take new members and burn them out by moving them up on the board too quickly. For example:
Year 1 - Board Member
Year 2 - Secretary of Minutes
Year 3 - Vice-President of the Board
Year 4 - President of the Board
Year 5 - Ex-President who is expected to advise for the new three years.
That can be good, or it can be bad because each role requires more time and effort and you can get guilted into moving up without a real understanding of each role and the time commitment.
p.s. This may not apply to RearWindow but with 30 years of professional and personal experience on everything from subdivision boards to civic boards to professional boards, when someone asks me now to join a board I am very, very clear about what I will and won't do.
I will: show up for meetings, listen, ask penetrating questions, work towards consenus, help to make face to face meeting times productive, read all necessary information before the meeting and provide comments on materials to all members before the meeting.
I won't: Raise funds by asking people for $$ (though I will help in all fundraising physical activities - i.e. to show up for the day of fundraising activity) / move up in the board member process (no Secretrary/ Vice-President, etc.) or continue with the organization if board meetings are not focused and productive.
posted by ITravelMontana at 4:59 PM on April 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
My response was, "No." I was young and couldn't afford a four-figure donation, I might suggest to my friends that they help the organization but I'm not going to pester them about it. Volunteers make cold calls, not Board Members, IMHO.
The Pros of being a board member:
Resume building.
Networking, even if the board/organiation is outside of your field.
Experience in small group meetings and consensus.
Learning how to/not to run meetings.
Knowledge of the finances of a different organization/field.
The Cons of being a board member:
Many boards will take new members and burn them out by moving them up on the board too quickly. For example:
Year 1 - Board Member
Year 2 - Secretary of Minutes
Year 3 - Vice-President of the Board
Year 4 - President of the Board
Year 5 - Ex-President who is expected to advise for the new three years.
That can be good, or it can be bad because each role requires more time and effort and you can get guilted into moving up without a real understanding of each role and the time commitment.
p.s. This may not apply to RearWindow but with 30 years of professional and personal experience on everything from subdivision boards to civic boards to professional boards, when someone asks me now to join a board I am very, very clear about what I will and won't do.
I will: show up for meetings, listen, ask penetrating questions, work towards consenus, help to make face to face meeting times productive, read all necessary information before the meeting and provide comments on materials to all members before the meeting.
I won't: Raise funds by asking people for $$ (though I will help in all fundraising physical activities - i.e. to show up for the day of fundraising activity) / move up in the board member process (no Secretrary/ Vice-President, etc.) or continue with the organization if board meetings are not focused and productive.
posted by ITravelMontana at 4:59 PM on April 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
I have been on a few boards of directors for nonprofits and I see the main benefits as the following, in order:
1) Being able to materially assist causes that I care a lot about, which is a very personally rewarding way to spend my time.
2) Having the opportunity to learn extensively about some areas that I wasn't much exposed to in my paid work, specifically human resources and grant writing - which could potentially help me greatly in future paid roles.
3) Meeting other people who care about an important cause enough to work hard for it, who are usually pretty fantastic human beings. They're generally doing amazing things in the world outside of their board position too.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:00 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
1) Being able to materially assist causes that I care a lot about, which is a very personally rewarding way to spend my time.
2) Having the opportunity to learn extensively about some areas that I wasn't much exposed to in my paid work, specifically human resources and grant writing - which could potentially help me greatly in future paid roles.
3) Meeting other people who care about an important cause enough to work hard for it, who are usually pretty fantastic human beings. They're generally doing amazing things in the world outside of their board position too.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:00 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you aspire toward director/CEO-level leadership in your field at any point in the future, you could use board experience, and it could be a differentiator when it comes down to decision time.
posted by Miko at 7:48 PM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Miko at 7:48 PM on April 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Some non-profits use the Board Of Directors excuse to camouflage a fundraising effort, via the unspoken expectation that a board member will typically contribute around $5k annually. They will literally buy a list of local business owners and upper middle class professionals and ask each and every one to become a board member (ask me how I know). These non-profits often have two boards, a "real" board with just a few directors and a "community" or "advisory" board with a lot of "directors" whose job is to donate and little else. Before making my decision, I would find out about a) fundraising expectations, b) if they have more than one board and how many members there are. The former is more prestigious and better for networking, the latter is still great if you genuinely care about the cause but not so great for networking or prestige.
posted by rada at 9:39 PM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by rada at 9:39 PM on April 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Nthing the suggestions to find out what the expectations are, how long the term is, and what you will be expected to do and then determine if it's up your alley. I would also ask to speak to one or more current members of the board and find out what their experience has been like.
I've been a Board VP for over a year. I really enjoy it tremendously. It's given me a chance to grow new skills in directions that my work hasn't, especially in the areas of budgeting, finance, strategic planning, change management, and leadership, which all adds to my resume. This is, however, mostly a very healthy organization, and there are plenty of people around to share the work, and to keep an eye on me, and make sure I don't get burned out. It's also a great way to network.
If you pick up on any signs that make you uneasy or hear that the organization isn't very healthy, I would suggest thinking twice and maybe finding another organization. Poorly-run boards can be difficult and toxic places.
posted by dancing_angel at 10:10 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've been a Board VP for over a year. I really enjoy it tremendously. It's given me a chance to grow new skills in directions that my work hasn't, especially in the areas of budgeting, finance, strategic planning, change management, and leadership, which all adds to my resume. This is, however, mostly a very healthy organization, and there are plenty of people around to share the work, and to keep an eye on me, and make sure I don't get burned out. It's also a great way to network.
If you pick up on any signs that make you uneasy or hear that the organization isn't very healthy, I would suggest thinking twice and maybe finding another organization. Poorly-run boards can be difficult and toxic places.
posted by dancing_angel at 10:10 PM on April 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I realize that the question is framed, in part, to ask whether non-profit board service is good for your résumé. As indicated by others, it is. But don't join a board for that reason, or to gain work experience, or to learn how to hire and fire people, or to learn how to run meetings, or any of the other work-related benefits that have been cited above.
Join a board because you sincerely believe in the mission of the organization, and then work hard to help to advance that mission. Once you do it for that reason, all those other benefits will flow naturally.
Regarding fundraising: If you believe in the mission, asking for money is not very hard, should they ask you to do that. If you believe in the products and services of your corporate employer, you're willing to help sell them. Raising money for a non-profit is pretty much the same thing. Typically, you would be soliciting money from peers, and in such a way that the person being solicited knows the purpose of your call or visit. There is no arm-twisting. Usually, you don't even have to explicitly ask — they tell you what they're going to give.
posted by beagle at 9:29 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Join a board because you sincerely believe in the mission of the organization, and then work hard to help to advance that mission. Once you do it for that reason, all those other benefits will flow naturally.
Regarding fundraising: If you believe in the mission, asking for money is not very hard, should they ask you to do that. If you believe in the products and services of your corporate employer, you're willing to help sell them. Raising money for a non-profit is pretty much the same thing. Typically, you would be soliciting money from peers, and in such a way that the person being solicited knows the purpose of your call or visit. There is no arm-twisting. Usually, you don't even have to explicitly ask — they tell you what they're going to give.
posted by beagle at 9:29 AM on May 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've had incredible experiences serving on volunteer boards. In addition to networking and the connections you make with the community, there is opportunity to hone or learn skills in leadership, management, governance, stewardship, strategic planning, and decisionmaking. I brought some of my career skills as a lawyer to play, but also learned things that enhanced my legal practice. And it was invaluable experience to have when I transitioned into a staff position in a nonprofit. Having my board work on my resume was hugely important to that, and also showed what I was doing when I didn't have a job-job on my resume.
Definitely make sure to get a full understanding of what kind of contribution you are expected to make as a donor or someone getting others to donate, and to understand your potential liability. It's also important to get a sense of the board culture -- is this a board where you are largely involved in fundraising and some oversight, or is this a working board where you will be stuffing envelopes, staffing events, and the like?
posted by gateau at 9:59 AM on May 1, 2017
Definitely make sure to get a full understanding of what kind of contribution you are expected to make as a donor or someone getting others to donate, and to understand your potential liability. It's also important to get a sense of the board culture -- is this a board where you are largely involved in fundraising and some oversight, or is this a working board where you will be stuffing envelopes, staffing events, and the like?
posted by gateau at 9:59 AM on May 1, 2017
I work as a manager at a non-profit, reporting to a board, and have also served on a board of a non-profit. It was a great experience and one I would do again.
I never really understood what a board was until someone explained it this way: if a public corporation has owners who are investors, the non-profit company's owners/stakeholders are the people in the community. The board holds the organization in trust for the community. At my non-profit day job, my boss is the CEO, my CEO's boss is the board, and the board's boss are the citizens in our community.
Board members have direct fiduciary responsibility for the organization. That can be scary - legally if the company goes into debt and fails, creditors can try and get money from the board members. This can be empowering, as board members have something really at stake so are authorized to manage and not just rubber stamp proposed programs and budgets.
Any non-profit should have Directors & Officer's insurance coverage to protect the board from financial failure. Ask to see a copy of the organization's "D&O" policy. If you get blank stares, I would consider volunteering but not joining the board. Perhaps you could offer to contact an insurance broker and price out the D&O policy as part of your service.
It's standard practice to state giving requests up front before nominating someone to the board. The board I served on wanted artists and theatre professionals as trustees, so they chose a modest $200 donation requirement and very light fundraising responsibilities. The organization I work for has a $5000 give/get requirement - suggested that board members give $2500 and actively fundraise at least $2500 from friends, family, co-workers. Some board members just give the $5000, some donate more.
Be aware board members are often expected to participate and buy tickets to events, dinners, raffles, etc. above and beyond the donation requirement, though some places include tickets/fees in the overall ask. Most board members take it as a point of pride that they pay full price for any shows, events, dinners, etc. at their organization, and as a way to encourage their friends to do the same.
Don't be afraid to offer exchange of services instead of cash donations but don't be surprised if you're expected to fulfill that promise.
posted by sol at 12:09 PM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
I never really understood what a board was until someone explained it this way: if a public corporation has owners who are investors, the non-profit company's owners/stakeholders are the people in the community. The board holds the organization in trust for the community. At my non-profit day job, my boss is the CEO, my CEO's boss is the board, and the board's boss are the citizens in our community.
Board members have direct fiduciary responsibility for the organization. That can be scary - legally if the company goes into debt and fails, creditors can try and get money from the board members. This can be empowering, as board members have something really at stake so are authorized to manage and not just rubber stamp proposed programs and budgets.
Any non-profit should have Directors & Officer's insurance coverage to protect the board from financial failure. Ask to see a copy of the organization's "D&O" policy. If you get blank stares, I would consider volunteering but not joining the board. Perhaps you could offer to contact an insurance broker and price out the D&O policy as part of your service.
It's standard practice to state giving requests up front before nominating someone to the board. The board I served on wanted artists and theatre professionals as trustees, so they chose a modest $200 donation requirement and very light fundraising responsibilities. The organization I work for has a $5000 give/get requirement - suggested that board members give $2500 and actively fundraise at least $2500 from friends, family, co-workers. Some board members just give the $5000, some donate more.
Be aware board members are often expected to participate and buy tickets to events, dinners, raffles, etc. above and beyond the donation requirement, though some places include tickets/fees in the overall ask. Most board members take it as a point of pride that they pay full price for any shows, events, dinners, etc. at their organization, and as a way to encourage their friends to do the same.
Don't be afraid to offer exchange of services instead of cash donations but don't be surprised if you're expected to fulfill that promise.
posted by sol at 12:09 PM on May 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
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Please consider though whether you would be willing to fundraise - either by giving money yourself or asking others. This is an important role of board members, and you should be prepared to show up for this.
posted by Toddles at 2:44 PM on April 30, 2017 [7 favorites]