08 Apr How to Find Volunteer Board Opportunities
Working your way into the nonprofit sector can prove to be a very difficult task on its own but working your way to a role on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization is more of a challenge. Getting an opportunity to volunteer on a board of directors is an amazing chance for people that are really driven and want to make an impact for a cause they truly care about. It’s also an excellent way for people to get relevant experience for a board position with a different nonprofit or looking to get an executive role with other companies. In this article, we’ll take a look at some different ways to find these opportunities and break down some great resources to find the best volunteer board opportunities with nonprofit organizations.
What is the board of directors?
The board of directors is the governing body of any nonprofit organization. The members of the board are responsible for overseeing the organization’s activities. Board members will meet to discuss and vote on the affairs of the organization. Board memberships are not permanent positions, and most organizations have specific terms set up for board members. These terms can vary between two to five years.
While the board’s duties are to govern the nonprofit, they are not management. It’s important not to confuse them as the management team of the organization. During board meetings they will discuss certain strategies and oversights of the nonprofit. Typically, for a nonprofit it is a responsibility of the board to appoint officers. They are as follows:
President
This is the head of the board and supervises all of the business and affairs of the board. The President can also serve as the CEO or Executive Director of the nonprofit, but these roles are completely separate.
Secretary
The Secretary’s responsibility is to record and archive the minutes of every board meeting. Each record of discussion and votes of each meeting are taken. They are also responsible for keeping track of the organization’s activities to make sure they are in accordance with the organization’s bylaws.
Treasurer
The Treasurer is the officer that is responsible for keeping accurate finance records of the receipts and disbursements of the organization. They are normally a signatory on all bank accounts, though not the only signatory. They are also responsible for keeping track of the organization’s financial condition, which is important since they also must keep the other board members and officers informed about the state of their financials.
How do you find volunteer board opportunities?
There are several different ways to find these volunteer board opportunities. The experience that these opportunities can bring are incredibly valuable for those that are looking to start a career in the nonprofit sector, and it allows you to build a relationship with people in the sector. While you may have to do a bit of digging for these opportunities, there are several nonprofit boards that can introduce you to these opportunities. Here are a few of those resources:
Foundation List
Foundation List is one of the top job boards for job seekers looking to work in the nonprofit sector. They allow prospective candidates to both search for jobs and post their resume in order to find these opportunities. Their mission is to connect experienced and inexperienced professionals with impactful foundations, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. They feature plenty of advice and tips for those looking to break into the nonprofit sector and for those looking to make a change to go to another nonprofit.
Foundation List has a national comprehensive job board for finding and applying for nonprofit job opportunities in the United States. They truly care about matching you with the right organization and the right cause. On this board, you can find volunteer opportunities to gain the valuable experience needed. You can find their job board here and look at open positions, volunteer roles, and compensation (if applicable).
BoardSource
BoardSource is another great resource to find volunteer board opportunities and other nonprofit jobs. Their mission is to inspire and support excellence in nonprofit governance and board and staff leadership. They have a global network of leaders that represent a broad and diverse cross-section of the social sector. Their main focus is finding quality nonprofit board leadership, leadership, and support roles.
BoardSource offers programs to find opportunities in all 50 states, as well as international programs to find opportunities with nonprofit organizations overseas. They also offer other programs to find these types of opportunities to work on a board of directors. It’s a great resource for those looking to get an opportunity with a potential board job. If getting board service experience is what you’re looking for as a competitive advantage over other prospects, BoardSource could help you find the right program. You can find these programs here.
Idealist
Idealist is another resource for those looking to get into the nonprofit sector. Their goal is to connect people who want to do good with opportunities and collaboration with nonprofits around the world. Their job board features opportunities from nonprofit organizations from all over the globe. You can find their job board here.
LinkedIn is a fantastic resource for those looking to get an opportunity with a nonprofit and a volunteer board position. If you’re interested in one of the opportunities, the best course of action is to reach find the nonprofit organization that best matches your passions and your personal mission and reach out to one of the board members about potentially volunteering for experience. It’s a great way to build a relationship with them and learn the governance basics.
Scion Executive Search can help you find the best opportunities
If you’re looking to make a change to the nonprofit sector and you’re looking for a role as an Executive Director or in a different role, Scion Executive Search can help you find the perfect match. As a robust, communicative recruiting team, our aim is to be an outstanding additional resource in your search. We ask in-depth questions from a perspective of curiosity and compassion and cultivate new relationships with talented candidates and exceptional employers daily. Contact us today to chat with a recruiter or visit our website today!
