Nonprofit Board Member: Do I Want To Do This?

There are times in our business and personal lives when we’re offered leadership opportunities and asked to participate. First of all, let’s face it, being asked to serve with leadership massages our egos in a good way. This new opportunity may be associated with a cause that is close to your heart, for your community at large or for the benefit of others. Serving as a nonprofit board member may have true, deep appeal and hard to turn down.

Serving as a nonprofit board member may be different than you think.

Suppose you were asked to become a board member of a nonprofit organization whose mission is, in fact, something you strongly believe in? The current board is losing two members due to relocation. Two of the remaining members have served on the board of directors since the creation of the nonprofit; they are well-known members of the community. The Chairman of the Board is an acquaintance who knew of your shared vision with the nonprofit and it was she who approached you about serving.

What might you do?

Your experience tells you that you would want to talk with someone who you trust outside of the non-profit, someone who will give you honest, objective advice. By talking with the same person with whom you have trusted your money, the person with whom you have developed an encompassing strategic financial plan for your family’s future would be an excellent choice as your adviser in this decision–your CPA.

What can your CPA do for you?

What, in this and other matters, can your CPA see from a different perspective and perhaps more clearly? Where does your CPA’s interest lay? Well, your CPA is primarily interested in you. Your CPA could know of the nonprofit’s financial position, which you should also know. Is it solvent? Is there trouble ahead? Are there any legal matters affecting the nonprofit, and perhaps its board members, of which you should be aware? Your CPA can offer less-than-emotional advice concerning the remaining members of the nonprofit’s board and how well the board has operated over time. Might there be a willingness of the board to consider fresh ideas for the non-profit’s operation? Have the board members shown a resistance to change? By referencing other nonprofit boards, how much time should you expect to devote to your position as a nonprofit board member, and is that amount of time acceptable?

Your CPA, your partner.

Your CPA has a wealth of knowledge that reaches well beyond IRS forms and edicts. Your CPA has been your partner in many of your important decisions and you remain trusting of her advice. You shouldn’t hesitate to call on her once more.

Bottom Line?

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