1. If you are the board chair
2. If you are the chair of the nominating or board development committee
3. If you are a current board member
4. If you are the executive director

1. If you are the board chair

• Introduce the chair of the nominating/board development committee to the most current literature on recruiting board members. Click here for Resources for Recruiting New Board Members

• Work with the governance committee and/or the full board to clearly define the expectations for the current and new members.

• Set an example by following the recruitment process that has been recommended by the nominating/board development committee and approved by the full board.

• Talk to potential board members about the level of commitment they can make to the organization, and the kind of board culture they hope to find.

• Reach out to new members to help them feel welcome and included.

2. If you are the chair of the nominating or board development committee

• Introduce the most current literature on effective board recruitment to your committee and the board chair. Click here for Resources for Recruiting New Board Members

• Develop a board profile and outline the skills and attributes you want to target in the recruitment process.

• Guide the full board in a focused discussion of board recruitment.

• Develop a board recruitment process to bring to the full board to refine, document and formally adopt so everyone can be "on the same page" about the process.

• Develop an orientation program to introduce new board members to the organization, and to smoothly and efficiently integrate them into the work of the board.

• Make the cultivation and recruitment of board members a year round effort for all board members.

• Periodically check in with new board members to see how they are doing, offer support and guidance, and help them get comfortable on the board.

3. If you are a current board member

• Make sure you are familiar with the agreed upon process before talking to a board prospect. If there is no set protocol, ask the board chair or the chair of the nominating/board development committee to consider developing one.

• Talk to others about your service on the board, why the experience is satisfying, and why the organization is important. Your thoughts and observations may inspire friends, colleagues and even casual acquaintances to become active supporters.

• Ask the executive director and board chair for information you need to be able to talk to potential board members about the organization.

• Ask at a board meeting about where the organization stands with regard to board development goals, particularly if the matter has not been discussed for awhile.

4. If you are the executive director

• Share current literature related to board recruitment with the board chair and chair of the nominating/board development committee. Click here for Resources for Recruiting New Board Members

• Pass along information about people you meet who may make good board members to the chair of the nominating/board development committee.

• Be available to meet potential board candidates and to introduce them to the day to day work and the longer term impact of the organization.

• If you are part of the recruiting process, bring along a board member who will learn with and from you about how to talk about the organization and what questions to ask of a potential board member.

Click here for Signs of Progress