A well-run nonprofit or business requires a strong board of directors. A member of the board must bring a wide range of skills, insights and experiences to the table to make the right decisions and formulate a plan. They should be able communicate well, stay connected to each other between meetings and be proactive when it comes to fundraising and networking.
Take a look at a variety of independent candidates who are acquainted with your industry, and who are committed to your vision and mission. They might include trusted mentors, such as attorneys, CPAs and fellow entrepreneurs. It is also beneficial to http://www.boardmanagementsoft.net have board members who have prior board experience.
During the vetting process, be sure that the candidate is genuinely interested and able to commit to being an active board member. It's a big commitment and might not be the right choice for all.
It is also important to inquire about their other commitments and be realistic of how much time they can devote to the board. It is not productive to have an unproductive board. busy or under-performing.
It is more beneficial to have an even number of board members than an imbalanced one to keep ties from forming. You need to have enough members to ensure quorum and for the board to work, but you also want to get sound advice from the board without getting overwhelmed by a plethora of voices.