Getting the most from volunteering for a nonprofit board.

• Author: Smith, Hardy

The author of the following article surveyed business leaders about their experience serving as board members of nonprofit organizations (NPOs). The survey results offer guidance to CPA firm members who volunteer to serve on nonprofit boards, as well as their clients who serve on these boards or manage NPOs.

Business leaders are favorite targets for NPOs seeking board members. However, after serving for a short period, they often become frustrated with their nonprofit board experience. This frustration can be avoided if NPOs heed some solid advice from the for-profit world.

Recently, executives with extensive experience working with NPOs participated in a nationwide survey to identify a business perspective for creating effective nonprofit boards. The survey project was initiated as a result of participants in a training session for nonprofit leaders being asked to identify their most pressing problem. They answered loudly and nearly in unison, "Why don't board members do what they're supposed to do?"

However, the room quickly fell silent when the audience was countered with the question: "Have you asked or told board members what you would like from them?" The question was a wake-up call. Organizations with board performance issues were confronted with the fact that they might be contributing more to their problem than they realized. This response confirmed the need to solicit opinions on the causes of frustration being felt by business leaders in their relationships with nonprofit boards.

Survey participants reflected a wide variety of occupations and interests. Included were top corporate executives, business owners, political leaders, university presidents, doctors, attorneys, engineers, and management-level leaders.

Key questions

In addition to getting responses to the priority question (Why don't board members do what they're supposed to do?), the survey included four other key questions for collecting advice from business and community leaders:

(1) When asked to serve on a nonprofit board, what motivates you to say "Yes"?

(2) Other than time, what would be some reasons you would turn down a board position?

(3) As a board member, what is your biggest criticism related to organizations and their board relations?

(4) How can organizations be more effective in utilizing their board members?

The results revealed candid opinions on relationships with NPOs.

Service-minded business leaders take their personal involvement with NPOs very...