Board Development
Board Development refers to the process of building, training, and strengthening a nonprofit organization's board of directors. This includes finding and recruiting new board members, training them on their responsibilities, and creating ways for the board to work better together. It's similar to how companies develop their leadership teams, but specifically for nonprofit boards. When someone mentions board development in their resume, they're talking about helping organize and improve how a nonprofit's governing body works.
Examples in Resumes
Led Board Development initiatives resulting in recruitment of 5 new board members
Created Board Development training programs for incoming board members
Facilitated Board Development workshops and annual board retreats
Implemented Board Development and Board Training strategies to improve governance
Typical job title: "Board Development Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Board Development Specialists
Professional Associations
Online Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a dysfunctional nonprofit board?
Expected Answer: Should discuss assessment of board dynamics, implementing clear governance policies, facilitating difficult conversations, and creating action plans for improvement. Should mention experience with board restructuring and conflict resolution.
Q: What strategies have you used to improve board member engagement?
Expected Answer: Should describe creating meaningful roles for board members, developing committee structures, implementing regular check-ins, and measuring board participation. Should include examples of successful engagement programs.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you design an effective board orientation program?
Expected Answer: Should explain components of board orientation including organizational history, financial responsibilities, legal duties, and engagement expectations. Should mention creating board manuals and training materials.
Q: What methods do you use to evaluate board performance?
Expected Answer: Should discuss different evaluation tools, including self-assessments, meeting effectiveness surveys, and annual board reviews. Should mention how to use results for improvement.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic responsibilities of a nonprofit board?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain fundamental board duties including financial oversight, strategic planning, and executive director support. Should mention legal and ethical responsibilities.
Q: How do you identify potential board members?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic recruitment strategies, including skills assessment, diversity considerations, and networking within the community. Should mention basic qualification criteria.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of nonprofit governance
- Board meeting coordination
- Maintaining board records and documents
- Supporting board member communications
Mid (2-5 years)
- Board recruitment and orientation
- Committee structure development
- Board training program implementation
- Governance policy development
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic board development planning
- Board performance evaluation
- Governance restructuring
- Complex conflict resolution
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of nonprofit governance basics
- Lack of experience with board relations
- Poor communication or facilitation skills
- No knowledge of nonprofit compliance requirements
Related Terms
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