Deciding to serve on the board of an organisation is a great opportunity for you to do even more for an entity or industry that you are passionate about.
You will be entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the best interests of that organisation are managed and protected; while building your own personal and professional growth.
Getting your First Board Position
If you’ve never been on a board before, you could start by trying to gain a volunteer position on a charity board.
Once you’ve got some experience, you can start applying for paid positions. Payment for board members varies a lot – some pay very little, and then as the company grows, so too does the payment.
There is a lot of competition for board membership, the role won’t just be handed to you due to age and experience. There is a process involved and it will take more than just good financial knowledge and enthusiasm to get you on a board. You will need a range of skills, both of the soft and hard variety! Hard skills might include risk management, corporate governance or maybe even IT experience; while valuable soft skills include being a good listener, and knowing how to lead but work collaboratively.
Qualities of a Good Board Member
The key qualities of a good board member can be summarised as:
- Passion – this extends beyond just attending regular board meetings. You need to have a passion for the mission of the organisation that you represent. Being a board member is about serving and giving back to the community.
- Leadership – you will have to be able to lead and influence others to stay focused on the organisational goals.
- Knowledge – a good board member will be knowledgeable about the organisation and its vision, but also about the role of the board and its members.
- Stewardship – the ability to serve the interests and pursue the goals of the organisation.
- Diligence – dedication to attending meetings, reviewing information and serving to your best ability.
- Discretion – trustworthiness is an essential trait and confidentiality is crucial.
Board Member Benefits
Whilst becoming a member of a board involves considerable skill, knowledge and time, there are plenty of benefits too.
There is flexibility in working on a board. You can hold down a board position whilst still working a full-time job. Many people use board positions to step away from traditional employment and create a better work-life balance.
Serving on a board is a great way to develop new skills and knowledge and facilitate the introduction of new people and networks.
If you are unsure about taking the plunge, maybe think about undertaking the Australian Institute of Company Directors course – it will teach you all about the duties and responsibilities of becoming a director on a board. Once you get involved you will find it both interesting and rewarding. Remember, good boards are just high functioning work groups.
