An active, well focused board can help ensure the success and long-term stability of any nonprofit organization. Building successful boards requires effective recruitment. Recruitment should follow a well-developed plan. The executive director and the board must begin by reading the bylaws. The bylaws define who will select new board members and the process to be followed.
Most organizations designate a nominating committee to recruit and select new members.
However, all board and staff members should be looking for candidates year round. In initiating a recruitment campaign, the nominating committee, with assistance from the board chair and executive director, must identify the skills needed on the board. Once the nominating committee compiles a list of the desired skills and characteristics, it can compare the nomination list with the skills and characteristics of the current board members. This process will pinpoint the gaps existing on the current board and help target the search for candidates. Having a job description for board members will make recruitment easier.