As your business grows it will require more board members to supervise governance. In most cases, this is accomplished by elected leadership. Elections stop a board’s leadership from having a monopoly on power and increase trust among members in governance, which is different from management.
In general, the bylaws of your organization will state which committee is responsible for recommending candidates to the board and requesting nominations. It is common for this committee to be the governance committee or a board development committee. The board may also choose to appoint an external consultant to help in the search for new board members.
The nominating committee should share all information about each candidate before the next board meeting. This can include resumes, bios, and a statement about the nominating panel’s experience with each candidate during the interview process. They should also state why they think this person is worthy of being chosen for the job.
The most effective board members are those who not only share a love for your cause but also possess strong moral values and integrity. They should be strategic thinkers who are willing to sacrifice their time and money for the good of the business. They should also know the difference between management and governance and be aware of the fact that their primary function is to manage. Board members should not have conflicts of interest with the organization’s management or other board members.
