I started a non-profit with the vision of sharing the gospel of Jesus using technology. We are currently building technology that evangelises to unbelievers and connects them to local churches. We need to form a great board. How do we get staretd?
The best way to find board members is to find people in your industry (or market) that show signs of being someone who would enjoy being on your board. These are typically people who
1) Are on other boards similar to the kind of organization you're starting
2) Are part of organizations that give back to the community
3) Publicly display that they are charitable and give back.
Using those filters, then you'll want to find people who have the right type of experience that will help you where you need. Ex: Operations, Fund Raising, Marketing, etc.
The best way to get started is to find someone who's done it before and ask them directly (wink wink). Here's a list of people we like: https://clarity.fm/browse/funding/nonprofit/s/best-match/f/all
I would go after the heroes to you in this field. Don't worry about that your new or small. Think like if I had the best organization in the world and I had the pick of the crop who would I pick. Make a list of 30 people in this boat and I believe you will get 5 of them. I just started a podcast interviewing those baby boomers that have a message to help people get in business and this week I interviewed someone who did $3,000,000,000 (Billion) in business last year and gave me an hour of his time. If you don't ask you don't get. And who knows you might cause someone that you talk to become a believer. Hoped this helped, call if you would like to talk, thanks....Ken
P.S. I raised over 1.5 million for the blind almost single handedly so I have an idea of what you are doing.
Finding board members for my Christian non-profit will not be easy. Once you have identified the skills and experience your non-profit needs, you are ready to identify and recruit new board members. The recruitment process requires both «vetting» a candidate and “cultivating” the interest of a potential future board member until he or she is ready to accept an invitation to become an ambassador and advocate for the non-profit. “Nominating committee” implies that the only function is to nominate board members for election to the board, but that limits our vision of good governance. It is helpful to have a task force or committee of the board authorized not only to identify new board prospects but also to focus on the effectiveness of the board. Serving on a charitable non-profit’s board is about more than just being elected – it requires continuous learning about those served and being an advocate for the mission, making decisions that are in the best interest of the organization, ensuring prudent use of the non-profit’s assets, and looking ahead to help the non-profit plan for the future.
Keep these points in mind:
1. Start with an assessment of the skills, experience, and expertise of your existing board so you can identify gaps. Consider using a board application form that individuals can fill out to indicate their interest in serving on the board or a board member “contract “Once you’ve found a terrific board member who says, “Yes!” get them started on the right foot with an orientation.
2. How big is your board? Most governance gurus caution against boards larger than 13-17, because it is so hard to keep all those board members engaged, and unwieldy during meetings making sure that all voices are heard. On the other side of the spectrum, exceedingly small boards are limiting their perspectives and reach in the community. Nevertheless, each non-profit needs to decide for itself what the right size is. What is the right size for your board?
3. As you think about increasing the diversity of your board you may wonder whether bringing on younger board members, under the age of 18, is permissible? This will be controlled by the state law that governs non-profit corporations in your state.
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath
Finding board members for a Christian non-profit can be difficult, but there are some steps you can take to find individuals who share your vision and are dedicated to the mission of your organization. Here are a few ideas:
1. Pray for direction: Seek God's help in identifying potential board members. Ask Him to provide people who care about your mission and are willing to serve.
2. Start by looking within your personal and professional network. Reach out to friends, family, coworkers, and church members who might be interested in serving on your board or who might know someone who would.
3. Advertise the position: Use social media, church bulletin boards, and other platforms to reach a larger audience.
4. Screen potential board members: Once you've identified potential board members, thoroughly vet them to ensure they're a good fit for your organization. Checking references, conducting background checks, and conducting one-on-one interviews are all possible.
5. Consider their credentials: Look for people with relevant skills and experience, such as financial management, legal knowledge, or fundraising experience. However, it is also critical to find people who share your organization's values and are dedicated to its mission.
6. Finally, pray for discernment in making your final decision. Seek God's wisdom to help you choose the right people to serve on your board. Choose people who are already serving the Lord and who are faithfully serving God and those around them.
Remember that choosing board members is an important decision because these people will have a significant impact on the direction and success of your organization. Take the time to find the right people who share your vision and are dedicated to the mission of your organization.
