Board of Directors - Non Profits
Hey everyone.
I've been a long time reader on this site and have found a lot of the information very useful.
I'm currently an analyst at a reputable consulting firm, but by no means MBB. In a few years I'm going to apply to business school and want a well rounded profile to give myself a shot at a top program.
What would be the best way to get on the Board of Directors at a non-profit? Does anyone have some good advice on how to approach this?
Thanks
Have you heard of the Human Fund?
I have not heard of it. Can you elaborate?
Nice.
Start your own. Easiest way.
Serving on a Board of Directors (Originally Posted: 11/09/2012)
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience serving on a board of a non profit as a younger professional, and how to go about it. I just moved to a new area for work and think it would be a good idea to do some volunteering to help out and also meet people. I'm 25 and currently serving on the BOD of my fraternity, but I think it would be a good idea to try and serve on a board in the area. I obviously wouldn't get a position on the BOD of the chamber of commerce or anything, but I also don't really care about the arts...
I think serving on a board would be ideal because they generally have meetings at night, it would be a good excuse to leave work if I I'm working, a good way to meet people in the area, can't hurt the resume, and I enjoy getting involed in organizations (fraternity, school clubs ect.)
Does anyone have experience with this type of thing as a young professional? Will they take you seriously if you are half the age of the people serving or are a majority of them just looking for help?
.
It's fairly easy to get on the BOD of some smaller nonprofits. You will have to start out by attending the meetings, helping with the charitable events, whatever. Everyone will notice a good worker right away, and it is typically easy to then lead some kind of team for whatever charitable activity is happening next, then use that as a stepping stone to talk to current board members about a new idea you have, then get on the board.
Larger nonprofits (e.g. the NYC Chapter of the American Heart Association) will typically have BODs composed of MDs, law/accounting partners, etc. Boards I have seen young professionals get on are usually academic (e.g. private high school), professional (e.g. Young Professionals of XXX State Society of CPAs), or random small social welfare groups. If you can leverage your professional role into involvement of your company, that will greatly increase your opportunities to take a leadership position.
i was on a subcomittee of the board of trustees for my alma mater?!
interesting choice of punctuation...i'm not sure how to read that sentence.
I'd do some work for the nonprofit first. If you are a consultant or accounting (even if you don't use your CPA), getting on local boards is absurdly easy. For others, for any legitimate organizations I would volunteer, take a leadership role and then ask for a board seat in connection with that (ideally you should already be going to board meetings). If this is for bschool, you want a longer story to tell anyway.
This pertains to generic nonprofits (i.e. local Habitat chapter). For some other things (especially arts stuff), you can walk right in. For others (education in particular), you will be looked upon with skepticism unless you have experience in the field. Many professional organizations have young member affiliates (with lower dues/more hard liquor at events) that have their own boards you can join.
Since you're in college and might know something about accounting/fundraising. Talk to students in the International relations program or whatever it is called, those students that would travel to Africa or Latin America to make a difference during the summer. Hit them up with the idea of creating a NGO or charity organization where you can be the financial wizard and get your frat to donate a few dollars. Will generate good press for you and your frat plus will be something to put on your resume.
Of course you'll take a seat on the BoD as a thank you.
Edit: Saw now that you're working and not in college. My bad, but the advice is still good for any college students looking for a resume booster.
solid seinfeld reference and find something you are passionate about and start volunteering then move up
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