As important as it is for the board as a whole body to understand the scope of its responsibilities, each individual member also has a distinct role to play on behalf of the organization and contribute a unique set of skills, contacts, interests, resources, and experiences to the organization.
Typical responsibilities of individual board members include:
| » | Serving on at least one committee |
| » | Attending a majority of Board meetings |
| » | Being an ambassador for the organization |
| » | Making a meaningful personal financial contribution |
| » | Supporting fund raising activities of the organization |
| » | Purchasing tickets, subscriptions, and/or membership to the organization |
| » | Attending events |
In addition effective individual board members:
| » | Are informed about the organization’s mission, programs, and policies |
| » | Are prepared for meetings |
| » | Keep up to date with developments in the field |
| » | Abide with conflict of interest and confidentiality policies |
| » | Participate in fiduciary activities |
| » | Support the staff and do not make special requests |
| » | Focus on the big picture and not the day-to-day |
| » | Keep their eyes open for potential candidates to enhance the board. |
BoardSource suggests personal characteristics to consider:
| » | Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people individually and in a group. |
| » | Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself. |
| » | Develop certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the organization. |
| » | Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for your nonprofit's development, a sense of humor. |