4 Reasons You Should Join a Nonprofit Associate Board
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
― John Quincy Adams
Many of us aspire to realize high levels of success and achievement.
To put our, “dent in the universe”, as Jobs put it.
We want it all…
- To be recognized as incredible human beings, both for our intelligence and our leadership ability
- To sit in the corporate boardroom and to leave the world a better place than we found it
- Really, we want the best that life has to offer
As you’ve already noticed, this is not a simple feat.
But, it’s not for the reasons you might think.
Many of us get to a point where we’re successful. Dream job, great money, and an awesome lifestyle. And yet, it’s not enough.
But you’ve accomplished so much, or at the very least, are making huge strides to realize your goals. So, what’s the problem?
True success, and the deep sense of meaning and fulfillment that comes from it, takes more than putting in long hours at the office. To take the next step, we need to look inward by asking questions like, “What am I doing to make a real difference?” and “What kind of legacy am I leaving?”
Joining a nonprofit associate board can help answer these questions.
What is an Associate Board?
Associate boards are a relatively new concept developed by nonprofits looking to develop their next generation of philanthropists.
The experience was designed to work around the schedule of busy, young professionals to ensure that highly talented and successful people in their 20’s & 30’s have the opportunity to get involved, make a difference, and realize a great sense of meaning through the work.
Associate board service includes:
- Four to six meetings a year (that can be attended remotely)
- Advisory work, with the opportunity to create real change and influence the direction of a nonprofit
- Fundraising, sourced from hosting networking events and making your own contribution
- Acting as an advocate and ambassador on behalf of your chosen nonprofit, helping raise awareness of the organization’s mission
For the young professional looking to make strides in their career and life, nonprofit board service provides a proven training ground for the next generation of leaders, with minimal time commitment.
There are so many reasons to join an associate board, but a few stand out. The rest of this post will explore four of the reasons you cannot afford to pass on the opportunity to join an associate board.
1. Stand For Something Good
Serving on an associate board is a rare opportunity that allows you to have a positive impact on the lives of others. This type of service can provide a great source of meaning and purpose, a key component of success.
In a world obsessed with speed and productivity, the importance of a sense of meaning is often overlooked, and the absence of it leads young professionals to wonder where they went wrong. Joining an associate board is an easy and effective remedy to this problem while providing the benefits mentioned below.
Such service can act as a foundational source for continued personal and professional success, especially as firms hiring for leadership roles look for more well-rounded individuals, particularly those with highly developed “soft” skills (now recognized by scientific research to be integral to effective leadership).
2. Build Meaningful New Relationships and Expand Your Network
As an associate board member, you’ll connect with an amazing group of volunteers, strategists, and trustees dedicated to a common cause. So not only are you working towards a great cause, but you’re meeting plenty of like-minded people from every walk of life in the process. The benefits of these relationships don’t need to be spelled out, but it suffices to say that they’re essential for continued personal and professional progress.
Meaningful friendships develop quickly, mentors provide relevant support, and your network grows both in breadth and depth. As you progress in your career, these connections are vital. They provide the advice, support, and professional capital to help you achieve your goals.
3. Gain New Perspectives
Do you remember returning from a trip abroad and feeling like your view of the world had shifted? Well, by joining an associate board and stepping outside of your day-to-day responsibilities, you’ll feel exactly that.
Gaining new perspectives is integral to becoming a leader. By collaborating with people from all walks of life, you’ll have the opportunity to see issues from many points of view. This will advance your ability to empathize with people, articulate your position, negotiate with others, and move a project forward. While it’s exciting to carry out meaningful initiatives with a group of like-minded professionals, you’ll also be making a significant impact on cause you all care about, and massively accelerating your growth as a leader.
4. Develop Useful New Skills
Thus far, you’ve spent your career focused on becoming the best of the best at your craft, and you’ve done it (or are making great strides toward it).
To reach the peak of professional success, you need to step out of your day-to-day workflow and develop a broader understanding of diverse business functions.
As an associate board member, you’ll gain hands-on experience through a variety of projects. Imagine:
- Lawyers reviewing balance sheets
- Bankers managing social media campaigns
- Marketing professionals steering complex logistics
- And more unique opportunities you could only get by being on an associate board
In the process of working with others to give back, you can acquire valuable skills needed to take your personal and professional development to a new level.
It’s Your Move
The leaders of tomorrow will be recognized for their strong values and intangible skills as much as their knowledge and expertise. By getting an early start on philanthropy via associate board service you will unlock your potential to become a driving force for good while accelerating your personal and professional growth. Click here to get the ball rolling.