Most board members are recommended by existing board members. It’s best when current board members take the role of identifying their successors seriously. One exercise that can help is to conduct a board self-assessment and determine a “wish list” for expertise and experience that your nonprofit will need in the short and long term. From that list, identify individuals in the community who can help fulfill the nonprofit’s future needs for ‘time, talent and treasure.’ It’s helpful to ask people who may be future board prospects to serve on committees so that they can become familiar with the nonprofit’s mission and programs. There are local and regional “board match” programs as well as a national internet matching service, BoardNet USA™, that offers assistance at no cost.
