A Call To Action For Nonprofit Board Members

Nonprofit organizations play a pivotal role in addressing societal issues, providing essential services, advocacy, and support to those in need, and fostering community development. The ultimate responsibility for the success of these organizations sits on the shoulders of the board of directors, who are expected to guide, support, and champion the mission.

However, it is alarmingly common for individuals to join nonprofit boards for self-serving reasons, rather than a genuine commitment to the cause, leading to a disengaged board and a pervasive culture of apathy.

This lip service passion is not only unacceptable but detrimental to the missions of these organizations.

Therefore, it’s time for a candid discussion: If you, as a board member, are unwilling to fulfill the obligations you signed up for, you should resign or find a more suitable role within your organization.

The problem: Self-serving motivations and apathy

Board members are supposed to be the guiding force behind a nonprofit, providing oversight and support. But they are also expected to be leaders—model leaders—entrusted with significant responsibilities, including governance, strategic planning, fundraising, and advocacy.

Yet, far too many board members are failing to live up to these responsibilities. They join boards to pad their resumes, expand their networks, or gain social status, all while making excuses and neglecting the actual duties that come with the role.

This results in board meetings with poor attendance, strategic planning sessions that are ignored, and fundraising efforts that fall flat due to lack of leadership and involvement.

When board members don’t show up, both physically and mentally, they undermine the effectiveness of the nonprofit, wasting precious resources and demoralizing staff and volunteers who are truly committed to the cause.

This behavior is not just disappointing and frustrating—it is a betrayal of the mission and values of the organization, and a disservice to beneficiaries and funders.

Engagement: Lean in and do more

To all board members who are coasting through their tenure, it’s time to get your act together and engage, have the grace to resign, or slide into a different role. Here’s just a handful of the key responsibilities you should be fulfilling:

1. Attendance and participation

Show up to meetings, trainings, and strategic planning sessions, participate on committees, and help with events. Also, make a commitment of time to volunteer and help with programming and other work going on at the organization.

Engage actively in discussions, offer insights, and contribute to decision-making processes. Your presence is crucial for making informed decisions and providing meaningful input. Active participation demonstrates your commitment and ensures that you are up to date with the organization’s needs and progress.

Think about this: Would you give money to an organization if you knew all the board members were as apathetic and disengaged as you are as a board member?

2. Fundraising efforts

Fundraising is a critical aspect of any nonprofit’s sustainability. As a board member, you should be actively involved in all types of fundraising activities. This includes making a personal financial contribution, besides any funds the company you work for gives, or any other funds you raise.

If you are not willing to make a personal and meaningful gift based on your income, why would your donors be motivated to give?

You should also be actively involved in hosting your fundraising events and supporting all types of fundraising efforts at your organization. This ranges from leveraging your network to making thank-you calls.

If you feel uncomfortable asking people for money, there are dozens of other ways to support the fundraising efforts of an organization that have nothing to do with asking people for money.

Fundraising should not be left solely to the executive director and development team; it is a collective responsibility. Stop making excuses and start helping.

3. Advocacy and ambassadorship

If you truly care about the great work your organization is doing, then why wouldn’t you want to be a vocal advocate and personal ambassador to motivate and influence others to support the cause?

Use your platform and network to raise awareness, champion the cause, and attract new supporters. Speak to civic organizations and corporations. Do radio, television, or podcast interviews. Provide a written or video testimonial. Create your own social media posts. Your influence can significantly impact the organization’s visibility and credibility.

4. Commitment to “fulfilling” the mission

Stay true to the mission and values of the nonprofit. Authentic passion for the cause should be evident in your actions to fulfill the mission, not just talk about it.

Therefore, be honest with yourself; what are your real motives for being on the board and caring about the mission? And how is your commitment to the mission manifested in the amount of time you commit, the expertise you share, and the financial support you provide? Talk less and do more.

5. Oversight and governance

Provide proper oversight to ensure the organization is operating effectively and ethically, and acting fiscally responsible. This includes reviewing financial statements, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards, and evaluating the performance of the executive director, among other things.

When it comes to total time commitment, board governance is the easiest, albeit important, task a board member is assigned to fulfill. Compared to the other “work” a board member should be doing to create mission impact, governance takes very little time over the course of the year.

Yet, many board members feel the amount of time they spend doing governance work is the only work they want to do—and should be required to do.

In fact, many board members have the belief that they are “volunteers,” and as such, should not be required do any work outside of governance work. “That’s the job of staff since they are getting paid.” But isn’t the fundamental purpose of volunteering to do work for an organization?

Unfortunately, this type of thinking has evolved into apathetic and dysfunctional board cultures at too many nonprofits around the country and it’s a far cry from best practice board governance and participation.

The ultimatum: Fulfill your role or step aside

For those who cannot or will not meet these responsibilities, it is time to do what’s right for your board and organization, not what’s convenient or easy: Step aside and allow someone with genuine passion and dedication to take your place.

Acknowledging that the board role is not the right fit for you is not a failure, but a responsible and honorable decision. However, maybe you care about the mission, but you’re just too busy to be fully engaged, or want less responsibility.

In this case, tell the board you’d like to transition to a different role where your impact is more in line with the level of responsibility you’re willing to commit to such as volunteering, joining a committee, or becoming an advisory board member.

Conclusion: A call to authenticity and commitment

Nonprofit board members hold a position of great responsibility and trust. It’s a role that requires more than just attending the occasional meeting or offering empty words of support; it demands authentic passion, dedication, and active participation.

Let this be a call to action for all nonprofit board members: The time for lip-service passion is over. Fulfill your obligations with integrity and enthusiasm. If you cannot rise to the challenge, do the honorable thing and resign, or move into a different role.

Pass the baton to those who are truly committed to take the reins and drive the organization forward with the energy and passion it deserves. Our organizations, and the funders and partners who support them, should expect more, because the people we serve deserve better.

Do you have lazy, disengaged board members who keep making excuses? Here is a call to action to your board members to step or step aside.