What kind of commitment is expected of a Board member by a nonprofit organization?
As business people, time is a valuable commodity that we must carefully allocate. I often speak of being passionate about the organization and its mission because giving our time requires sacrifice away from our family, business and personal activities. To many, the giving of their time is their single greatest commitment. In addition, a Board member must have a willingness to share this knowledge and experience with others, even those who may be looked at as competitors in the business world. Furthermore, members must be comfortable when calling on their network of friends, business associates and relatives for support. Most charitable Boards have the common ‘give/get’ commitment, where there is an expectation to donate and raise a minimum amount of funds. In all of this, it is critical that one understands the responsibilities, time and energy required of participating on a Board prior to joining. How does a company benefit by being involved in a charitable organization? First, it al
