| Many nonprofit boards are so busy that they neglect | | | | 8. Contact the Human Resources Department of local |
| to do a professional job recruiting new members. | | | | lawyer and accounting offices asking if any of their |
| This critical task is not as difficult as you may think if | | | | partners or employees have a particular interest in |
| you assign the task to your Board Development | | | | your clients or the programs you offer. |
| Committee, focus on the skills you need to round out | | | | 9. Contact a college or university department that is |
| your board, and start your search early. | | | | related to your organization's mission. Ask the |
| Here are eleven creative ways to look for new | | | | department administrator to e-mail your request for |
| board members for your organization: | | | | new board members to members of the department |
| 1. Post your board openings on volunteer web sites. | | | | or post it in department offices. |
| 2. Post your board openings on your organization's | | | | 10. Create a system to follow-up on every promising |
| web site. | | | | lead. |
| 3. Talk to ex-board members and ask them to | | | | 11. Ask your major donors to attend a coffee or |
| suggest candidates. | | | | lunch meeting to brainstorm with you to create a list |
| 4. Put an ad in the newspaper - or in your newsletter. | | | | of possible board members who meet this year's |
| 5. Create a continuous pool of board candidates from | | | | search criteria. |
| your volunteers and committee members who are | | | | Remember, not everyone is interested in being on a |
| not already on your board. These two groups can | | | | board. If your search turns up people who could |
| become your feeder team for new board members. | | | | become enthusiastic advocates of your organization |
| 6. Post a sign in your lobby and give your Board | | | | but they don't want to join a board, perhaps they |
| Development Chairperson's contact information. | | | | could join a board committee, be on an advisory |
| 7. Send out an e-mail to your members with the | | | | board, or work on one of your events. |
| qualifications you are seeking. | | | | |