How to be a Rockstar Board Member

Hope all is well and that you are gearing up for a restful and fun holiday season!

I am happy to say that after 25 years of marriage, my husband fully understands what I do for a living. This enlightenment occurred because he joined the board of his professional association this year. 

He asked me what it takes to be a great board member. I responded that being a strong non-profit director is more than just reading materials and showing up for meetings. It involves discipline, patience, courage, a desire for personal and professional growth and a willingness to continually learn and improve. 

Over the years, I’ve compiled this list of what it takes to be a rockstar board member:

• Act honestly, in good faith and always have the best interests of the organization in mind.
• Support and be passionate about the organization’s vision, mission, values, strategy, objectives, etc.
• Show up to meetings and events prepared and participate fully - don’t be afraid to speak up.
• Know and live by the saying “it’s ok for a board member to have their nose in, but fingers must stay out” - this means monitoring the ED/CEO and their team’s work while staying out of the weeds. 
• Have the ED/CEO’s back and their staff too - it should never be “board versus staff”.
• Know that as a director, you don’t have authority over staff - the board collectively oversees the ED/CEO only. 
• Keep your promises and follow through on commitments when you’ve volunteered to do something.
• Respond to staff and fellow board members in a timely manner.
• Stay focused at meetings – turn screens off in person and stop distracting side chats - turn cameras on when meeting virtually.
• Don’t interrupt peers or over talk or dominate the discussion.
• Leverage your networks for the benefit of the organization, particularly when your ED/CEO asks.
• Act as an ambassador at events and make sure to stay on top of issues.
• Know what you can say externally and know who the official spokesperson is.
• Ensure you are speaking with one board voice. 
• Speak up when you see or hear of any blindsides.
• Hold your fellow directors accountable - most boards fall down because they don’t have tough conversations. 
• Personally connect with other board members and build chemistry and trust.
• Know meeting protocols and use rules of order appropriately.
• Keep information confidential and safeguard documents - both hard copy and electronic.
• Declare conflicts when they arise.
• This is the hardest one for most... behave inside and outside of board meetings like you are being live streamed to members/stakeholders.

This all sounds pretty simple and mostly common sense, right? Well it’s not, which is why being a board member is a difficult job. We are all humans! 

Try your best, be positive, respectful and open-minded and put your organization first during your board service. 

If you are a director, I challenge you to commit to stopping or starting 3 things to improve as a board member. The New Year is around the corner… let’s make 2023 the year to step up our board game!

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As always, if you need help with any governance projects, don't hesitate to reach out. 

Yours in Good Governance,
Heather Terrence, CAE
Pinpoint Governance Group
info@pinpointgg.ca

647.984.9857