Pros and Cons of Board Membership

There are numerous benefits when you are a board member. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to work with people who are dedicated to the mission of your organization. You can make connections that will be useful to you in both your professional and personal lives. Board service is also a fantastic way to gain knowledge from different views and challenge your own. You can leverage your knowledge to make a difference to the community, or help launch new ventures.

A talented group of Board members is critical to an organization’s success. Boards require a range of skills to steer strategy, policies and financial management, and much more. In fact, some organizations have a particular role evaluation meeting on the Board that requires a specific ability, such as an expert in communications or who is knowledgeable about business finances. Recruitment of Board members willing to serve on subcommittees can be a way an organization can grow the skills needed to meet its goals.

Cons of Board Membership

While the benefits of being a board member are greater than the drawbacks, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the job carries many legal obligations and must be treated with a lot of care. It’s also a time consuming and sometimes difficult job that requires a lot and skill. Boards with members who have served for a long time can provide a lot of institutional memory that is important as the company expands.

During the recruitment phase it is essential to know why a candidate wants to join your Board. It’s easy to recognize those who are just padding their resume or attempting to advance their own career agenda, but you can also detect genuine enthusiasm for the cause. If you can discern a candidates genuine interest in the cause, they’ll be more likely to give their full attention and effort.