Lessons Learned Key Success Factors in Board Recruitment

Have a good policy on the role of the nominating committee.  These committee members have wisdom and tact; they are circumspect, persuasive, and know the membership.

• Have a good policy on the role of the nominating committee.  These committee members have wisdom and tact; they are circumspect, persuasive, and know the membership.


• Recruit business and entrepreneurially oriented people on your Board, people who have expertise in specific areas that could strengthen the governance of the organization (finance, business development/government negotiations, strategic planning, HR management, labour, social services, social enterprise, legislations), as well as stakeholders from the community you serve.


• Recruit based on the need of the organization: as an organization grows, matures and evolves the expertise and skills needed of the Board changes.  In thinking about financial vibrancy the question is:  what kind of financial thinking do we need access to at this point in our development?

Select individuals who are going to bring a diversity of perspectives that at times may challenge your thinking on issues.  Not all Board members should think alike.  Generally, diverse Boards lead to healthy governance. 

Be clear about what is expected of Board members – in terms of supporting the philosophy and mission of the organization as well as time commitment. Not everyone has to be a financial thinker, but everyone has to think financially.

Recruit Board members for expertise, energy, ideas and availability as well as their connections to government, media, community leaders, business, community agencies, funders, and other stakeholders.

“Hire” your Board members as carefully as you would hire any candidate for a senior management position within your agency.  Consider developing a hiring tool asking questions such as:

• What are your personal goals and how would serving on our Board further your goals?


• What skills and unique strengths do you bring to the Board team?


• What are your thoughts on how we could strengthen our organisation’s place in the community?


• How to you think about money?

Make sure that Board members have the same values about the work and about resourcing as the agency does – skills are important, but values of Board members are as important as skills

Recruit an outstanding Board Chair (with the right personality and skills to fit the Board’s goals). Some qualities of a good Chair are:

• S/he must have the time to do the job – there are more time demands on the Chair than on any other Board member.


• Be good at delegating – that is, not just be good at leading the team but also good at building it.


• Be firm, know the rules of order, and able to deal effectively with disruptions and impasses.

Ability to be a strong and reliable support to the ED and to other Board Directors.