One of the bigger mistakes a board can make is recruiting a board member based on the merits of the organization and not the responsibilities of the position. Some nonprofit boards wait too long in the recruiting process to explain what board service actually involves. They talk about the mission. They share the impact. They…
Month: May 2026
Mistake #5: No ownership of recruitment
When future board recruitment is everyone’s responsibility… it belongs to no one. So, what happens? Nothing. Everyone assumes: • Someone else is thinking about it • Someone else is making connections • Someone else is tracking potential candidates And in the background… Nothing actually moves forward. Then a seat opens, and the question becomes: “Who…
Mistake #4: Recruiting before fixing board dysfunction.
Most nonprofit boards think new members will solve their problems. They won’t. The good ones will reveal them. When a board struggles, the instinct is:“We need stronger people.”“Fresh energy.”“More experience.” So they recruit. But if the board is:• Disengaged• Politically divided• Unclear on roles• Operating at a staff level instead of governance New members don’t…
They walked away from millions.
I was brought in after a feasibility study to help a church with a $20M capital campaign in Florida. For this organization? Very achievable. They had a solid plan. They just… didn’t follow it. They still raised millions. But left a lot on the table. Why? 1) Treated it like “one more thing” A capital…
Mistake #3: No 6–18 month recruiting pipeline
Most nonprofit boards know turnover is coming. They just treat it like a surprise party. 🎉 Board terms end.People rotate off.Life happens. None of this is shocking.And yet… Right when a seat opens:“Who do we know??” That’s life without a recruiting pipeline. Every transition feels urgent.Every conversation feels high-stakes.Every decision feels… a little like settling….