Recognition, prestige, learning opportunities for leadership development and networking are just some of the benefits of being on boards. Cammy and Ali also noted that it’s a way to get C-level skills in areas like governance, financials, marketing and public relations/communications while helping to shape the click site strategy and make decisions that impact a business.

A great way to identify an opportunity is to look into non-profit organizations in your area. Our panelists suggest identifying those that you admire and contacting them to find out whether they have a board seat that is open, or an open volunteer position. They also suggest attending a match-type event that acts as a career fair for boards.

You’ll be required to attend meetings and offer strategic guidance whenever needed. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for fundraising. Our panelists suggested you focus on finding the board that you are at ease contributing at a level that is comfortable for you.

Our panelists stressed the importance of keeping up with paperwork and other responsibilities. This is particularly true as boards become more multi-faceted and geographically diverse. They suggested looking for tools to simplify these processes, and making an effort to stay in contact with fellow board members via verbal communication and email.

Lastly, the panelists discussed how becoming an elected board member can be an incredible source of fulfillment for your life. They suggest finding a cause that you’re interested in and becoming an advocate for it to give you a purpose in your work.