{"id":3152,"date":"2013-07-30T04:00:32","date_gmt":"2013-07-30T08:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=3152"},"modified":"2013-07-29T00:56:45","modified_gmt":"2013-07-29T04:56:45","slug":"how-to-get-a-seat-on-a-nonprofit-board-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=3152","title":{"rendered":"How To Get A Seat On A Nonprofit Board"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Laura<\/a>
Laura Gassner Otting has five tips for joining a nonprofit board
Photo courtesy of Laura Gassner Otting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019m a longstanding member of two boards: one at my high school, Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, and the other at Duke University, where I\u2019m an alum.<\/p>\n

My basic board duties involve a handful of meetings a year (travel expenses are reimbursed, but lodging is on my nickel, so I often stay with friends) and monthly exchanges via phone and email.<\/p>\n

The board work provides just the right amount of mental stimulation to make me feel involved and relevant; it lets me make friends and broaden my network.<\/p>\n

But perhaps the biggest reward has been my pride in giving back to the schools that had such an influence on me. I\u2019ve enjoyed, for example, helping improve the schools\u2019 editorial products, boost readership for Duke\u2019s alumni magazine and widen opportunities for my high school\u2019s alumni to mentor its current students, particularly girls.<\/p>\n

My service period for both boards is sadly winding down to a close in the next year, however. So I\u2019m beginning a search to join one or two other nonprofit boards, and have already picked up enough tips to help you do the same.<\/p>\n

Why Women Over 50 Should Join Nonprofit Boards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Serving on the board of a nonprofit<\/a>\u00a0is a wonderful, enriching experience, especially for women who are in their 50s (like me) or older. Aside from the joy of working for the public good, it can broaden your resum\u00e9 and skills, which\u00a0might help you find your next job<\/a>, especially if you want to transition from the corporate world into the nonprofit field.<\/p>\n

In exchange for all this, you\u2019ll need to commit some time and probably money. Depending on the nonprofit, you may have to attend meetings more or less monthly, raise money, help plan and run events and improve the group\u2019s programming. Unlike corporate boards, a nonprofit typically won\u2019t pay you for your efforts. Most likely you’ll be expected to donate a tax-deductible check to the nonprofit periodically.<\/p>\n

(MORE:<\/strong>\u00a0How More Women Can Become Philanthropists<\/a>)<\/p>\n

My Journey to Find New Boards to Serve On<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve begun my quest to join another nonprofit board or two by casually canvassing a few people I know who\u2019ve recently taken on similar duties.<\/p>\n

Several had landed their positions via word-of-mouth networking. Others used the website\u00a0BoardnetUSA.org<\/a>, where you note the type of group you\u2019d like to assist (arts, environment, health, etc.) and any preferred location; then BoardnetUSA sends a weekly e-mail with organizations looking for prospective board members who fit your profile.\u00a0Volunteermatch.org<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Idealist.org\u00a0<\/a>are two other excellent sites to search for board openings. At Volunteermatch, simply type in “board member” as your keywords; at Idealist, select “volunteer opportunities” then type in “board member.”<\/p>\n

My friends\u2019 warts-and-all reports on their experiences serving on nonprofit boards were a little daunting. Among the comments I heard:<\/p>\n