Written by Allison Howe

Joining a board provides us with so many wonderful opportunities! Most new board members see the chance to meet new people and to make a difference in a cause that matters to them. They may even see that serving on a board looks good on their LinkedIn profile.  But there is so much more if you take full advantage of this role.

Here are suggestions about how to maximize your board service:

• • Join with an open mind and the intention to learn. I have seen many people from the corporate world come to a board meeting bringing corporate biases and strategies. Those perspectives are important, but also it is important to listen to challenges
    

Written by Allison Howe

You joined the board because you believe heartily in the mission of your nonprofit. But it is getting harder and harder to get to those meetings. Too many responsibilities with the kids. Or the elderly parents. Or work.  Also, there are so many meetings and you think, “What am I really contributing?”  Perhaps you have nothing new to say after serving 20 years on a board with no term limits and the other board members do not want to hear, “We tried that already.”  Maybe you are a founder and find others are getting frustrated balancing your feelings with what needs to happen to move the organization forward.

It is often difficult to acknowledge that maybe you are no longer a good