Board Governance Training

Board members are integral volunteers at your charity. How do you ensure they join the board with the know-how and skills they need?

Nonprofit organizations, and especially charities, are a unique breed of business.

That's because the focus is often not just on raising capital but is being guided by a mission to serve the world in some important way. Still, not everyone who joins a nonprofit board will know the basics for how to do the job. That's why it is so important to set up a framework for how your board will run and to give members the tools they need to engage with each other and the organization in the best possible way.

Here are 5 tips you can use to support your board members so they can confidently tackle the challenges of running a charity.

Good recruiting practices

Have you noticed that people are said to 'serve' on boards, not just sit on them? Choose people who won't just show up but consider it is a privilege to volunteer to help run your charity. Each person should also bring a special expertise to their particular role and demonstrate their knowledge of and connection to the charity's mission.

Orientation essentials

You can't expect someone who has never been on a board to know exactly what to do when they arrive. During orientation, the new board member should be provided with and sign a document that clarifies the expectations for their role. In it, there should be particulars such as meeting attendance, committee participation, fundraising requirements, and ongoing training, etc. 

Personal giving

Many charities expect new board members to make a personal donation to demonstrate their commitment to the charity's mission and success. Even if your charity does not require personal giving, board members should be treated as valuable donors, so they feel that donating their time and effort to your charity is worthwhile.

Online training opportunities

Board members are only as strong as the education they bring to the board table. To ensure that all board members stay current on board practices, strategies, and behaviour, offer online training in the form of eLearning courses and programs, including a board governance in the non-profit sector onboarding program and optional board refreshers they can access at any time. 

Structure and focus

Make sure board meetings are both structured and focused, so members get into the swing of it and don't sit around bored on the board! Have the meeting location and snacks set, and agenda circulated beforehand. That way, everyone will come prepared and ready to tackle decisions and strategy.