The business of caring.

• Author: Dibble, Marcia C.
• Position: Special Advertising Section

SERVING ON A NOT-FOR-PROFIT organization's board might not sound too appealing if you look only at the basic job description: Long hours, no pay and often too little thanks. Yet many businesspeople find it extremely rewarding.

"With so many of us, you don't just serve on the board but go beyond, end up serving on some committees, working on others, reporting, organizing an event--much more than an hour-and-a-half meeting once a month," acknowledges Carol Carter, CEO of IC Products Inc. and chair-elect for Ballet West. "But I look at it as a great benefit. I've been able to develop business contacts with people I would normally never see or meet, people who've become wonderful friends and business associates. And I've learned from them. It's almost an education unto itself."

"There is a Jewish concept called 'Tikkun Olam,' and what that literally means is 'repairing the world,' "notes Arthur Warsoff, American Express director of travelers cheque risk management worldwide and vice chair of the nonprofit TreeUtah. "Certainly by participating on boards, doing volunteer work, I'm doing my part in trying to make this world a better place. That really sums it up. And when you think about helping plant trees, that's about as basic as you can get."

Nevertheless, professionals acknowledge that serving on a board can pose some challenges, with nasty roadblocks known to surface on even the most appealing path. Their number one issue: Time commitment.

Chris Arthur, a partner with the independent public accounting firm Foote Passey Griffin and Co. LC and vice president of its outsource business service company, FPG Business Services Inc., is currently treasurer for the Utah chapter of the Red Cross. She notes, "Sometimes people really can't meet the commitments. That's not uncommon with a volunteer position. So finding people who can really make the time commitment is a challenge." But that time commitment issue goes both ways, she says, noting that it's important both for a potential board member to realistically assess how much time he or she can allot to a volunteer board and for boards to be aware of and upfront about how much time a specific commitment will take.

Stephanie Harpst, the VP/community relations for Wells Fargo Utah and treasurer of VSA arts of Utah, concurs. "It's very important that the existing board tells you "This is what is expected, here's how long we think it will take, and just tell us if you can or can't do it.' And then you...