Three Life-Changing Reasons To Serve on a Non-Profit Board

When I shared the news of my decision to join the board of a non-profit with family & friends late last year, their responses were some variation of, "How will you find the time between a full-time job and school work?" After detailed discussions on the commitments involved with the Board president, I decided to go for it. That leap of faith has been one of the best decisions I have made for my professional and personal development. I serve as a Board member for a non-profit called 'Mount Vernon At Home' which facilitates aging in place for older adults in the local community. In this article, I invite you to explore the life-changing power of non-profit board service by sharing my reflections & experience.

Get a New Perspective

One of the first topics I remember learning in my MBA was the concept of 'Design-Thinking.' An iterative process that involved taking a customer-centric approach to problem-solving. The idea was to design solutions for your target audience by deeply understanding their wants, needs, and desires. Being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and gaining a holistic understanding of their needs is all in a day’s work for a non-profit board member. From fellow board members to the community we serve, I have been lucky to have a front-row seat to an incredible diversity of thoughts, experiences, and backgrounds. And as I look back to before I started this journey, I am amazed at all the ways I have grown since then.

Become More Marketable

Board service is an excellent way to learn new skills and get an inside view of how companies operate. It allowed me to immediately put the knowledge gained in my coursework into practical applications and gain new competencies. In my role as a fiduciary, I learned how to interpret balance statements and oversee a tight budget. I got a master-class in fundraising fundamentals when I contacted local businesses in the community to seek donations in support of our annual gala (I did score two donations, thanks to Wegmans & the Washington Nationals). To support the organization I also became somewhat of a novice graphic artist and designed advertisements and other marketing materials to promote the organization.

As a board member, you are not limited by a job title, department, or list of duties, you have the ability to have an impact on every part of the organization.        

I learned how to work with others effectively, resolve conflicts in a productive manner and work towards a common goal. In short, board membership gives you the invaluable opportunity to take ownership of the success of an organization, wear many hats and practice the real-world leadership skills all employers crave.

Gain Fulfillment

In the long run, prioritizing people before profits will serve you well in just about every conceivable leadership position in your professional life. Working on a non-profit board reminds you to keep the human element in perspective as you make decisions in your daily life.?Countless studies and scientific research can be found that tout the physical and emotional benefits of volunteering and altruistic acts. As a board member, you can have a positive impact on a great many people's lives with the decisions that you make, and that is a feeling money can't buy.

Final Thoughts

While passion may not be a prerequisite for professional employment, it is a crucial requirement of board membership. Board members are expected to volunteer their time and energy, and in many cases, make financial contributions. Board service can be an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience, but it is a tremendous responsibility and should not be approached lightly. Keep in mind that you are a steward of donor funds, responsible for setting organizational direction among other high-level duties. If you believe that you have something to offer an organization in your community, please read Wharton Magazine’s guide on How to Approach Nonprofit Board Service or reach out to your local Nonprofit to discuss expectations.

References:

Santi, J. (2017, August 15).?The Secret to Happiness Is Helping Others. Time.Com. https://time.com/collection/guide-to-happiness/4070299/secret-to-happiness/