Introduction
It is important to establish an on-boarding process for new board members so that they feel empowered and knowledgeable.
This lesson will outline some best practices for having well-informed board members who will advocate for the organization’s mission and values.
Important Note
Board members are volunteers. While it is not illegal to have board members who are staff, it is strongly discouraged as it is difficult to properly manage administratively, ethically, and legally.
New Board Member On-boarding
Orientation
Orienting new board members is an important step in ensuring there is an effective board of directors governing the organization. Orientations can be formal or informal and should offer new members the tools they need to effectively participate in board affairs. Some examples of things to cover in an orientation are:
- Organization’s history, mission, vision, and statement of values
- Board member agreement
- Conflict of interest policy (this will be covered in a later lesson)
- Calendar of the organization’s events
- Current roster of board members, committees, and any staff
Mentorship by current board members
It is important for new board members to have mentors available to field questions and help explain the nuances of what makes your organization unique. Mentorship can be formal with assigned mentors and meetings, or informal with a culture of board community helping each other.
Provide helpful documentation
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Resource guide/handbook
- Regulatory information, policies, and important documents
- Bylaws
- Articles of Incorporation
- Budget
- Board contact information
- Conflict of Interest policy
- Whistleblower policy
- Organizational chart
Resources
To see D4C’s welcome packet, click below.
For a more in-depth look into board orientations, go to https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/governance-leadership/board-orientation.