320-763-3161
ALEXANDRIA LAKES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | ALEXANDRIA, MN
  • Chamber
    • About Us
    • Chamber Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Committees >
      • Alexandria Area Young Professionals
      • Chamber Ambassadors
      • Finance Committee
      • Personnel Committee
      • Government Affairs
      • Grow Minnesota
      • Membership Team
    • Newsletter
    • Visitor & Resource Center
    • Do Business Local >
      • Chamber Bucks
      • Pride of the Lakes
    • #CommitToKindness
  • Visit Here
    • Lodging
    • Food & Drink
    • Fishing
    • Things to Do
    • Shopping
    • Find Us
  • Live Here
    • Relocate
    • Jobs
    • Education
    • Health Care
    • Economic Development
    • Government
    • Senior Services
    • History
  • Events
    • Chamber Events/Programs
    • Community Calendar
  • Members
    • Member Directory
    • Member Benefits
    • Join Us!
    • Member Login
  • In the Know
    • Blog
    • Email Sign Up
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Event Resources
  • Chamber
    • About Us
    • Chamber Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Committees >
      • Alexandria Area Young Professionals
      • Chamber Ambassadors
      • Finance Committee
      • Personnel Committee
      • Government Affairs
      • Grow Minnesota
      • Membership Team
    • Newsletter
    • Visitor & Resource Center
    • Do Business Local >
      • Chamber Bucks
      • Pride of the Lakes
    • #CommitToKindness
  • Visit Here
    • Lodging
    • Food & Drink
    • Fishing
    • Things to Do
    • Shopping
    • Find Us
  • Live Here
    • Relocate
    • Jobs
    • Education
    • Health Care
    • Economic Development
    • Government
    • Senior Services
    • History
  • Events
    • Chamber Events/Programs
    • Community Calendar
  • Members
    • Member Directory
    • Member Benefits
    • Join Us!
    • Member Login
  • In the Know
    • Blog
    • Email Sign Up
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Event Resources

Why serve on a board?

12/15/2020

0 Comments

 
By Tara Bitzan, Executive Director, Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Looking for a way to volunteer that offers you a professional growth opportunity? Consider serving on a board of directors for a nonprofit organization!

Board members are responsible for “governing” an organization, not “managing” it. Management and the daily tasks of the organization are typically handled by a paid executive director and other staff members, sometimes with help from volunteers.

Governance is high level – think visioning, strategy and accountability – whereas management is the day-to-day operations. The board of directors, as a governing body, should focus on the organization’s mission, strategy and goals. Staff members are responsible for the implementation of those.

Most organizations have set terms for board members, which typically fall between two and five years. A common meeting frequency is once a month for one to two hours, however, this varies greatly from organization to organization.

There are no IRS guidelines to determine who is certified to be on a board, but often organizations have criteria they use when filling open positions. This varies widely from organization to organization, but it is best practice to find individuals within the community who have the passion and experience that aligns with the nonprofit’s mission. 

The Alexandria Chamber, for instance, is strategic in ensuring that the many different industry sectors in the community are represented on the board, such as manufacturing, health care, education, retail, banking, hospitality, etc.

Some organizations may be strategic in seeking someone with strong financial, legal or human resources knowledge to advise and direct the organization in those areas.

Here are some things to think about when considering board service:
  • Do the mission and vision of the organization align with your beliefs and interests?
  • Does the time commitment and other logistics (meeting dates, times, length, frequency, location, etc.) work with your schedule?
  • Do you know any of the other board members and if so, do you have any conflicts with them or have any concerns about working together for the good of the organization?
  • Are you willing and able to maintain confidentiality when serving this organization?

Board service is not something one should dive into without some research and contemplation. You are not doing the organization any favors if you accept a position but don’t follow through with meeting attendance or other expectations. While board service is voluntary to the board member, it is extremely vital to the wellbeing of the organization and is something to be taken seriously.
It is also important that you educate yourself on the organization and its mission, services and programming before making the commitment. It’s easy to say “yes” to a mission statement, but later realize you don’t agree with some of the operations or programming. Looking out for an organization’s best interest would be challenging if you are not in alignment with what they are trying to do or how they are doing it.

It is also important to discuss the opportunity with your employer prior to making the commitment to ensure you have his/her support and to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.

Last piece of advice – don’t wait to be asked! If you have identified an organization that you deem a good fit, let them know you are interested in serving. Most organizations keep track of interested persons and when a position opens up, they are the first to be contacted. If you don’t voice your interest, you may never be asked.
​
There are many rewards to serving on a board. The lessons learned in visioning, strategic planning, high level thinking, etc. can be invaluable to your own company. The service may also open up some other leadership opportunities for you down the road! 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018

    Categories

    All
    Blog Post
    Spotlight Videos
    Testimonial

    RSS Feed

Copyright Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.
206 Broadway St.  Alexandria, MN 56308
320-763-3161 
info@alexandriamn.org

refund & privacy policy
Accessibility
Picture
Pride of the Lakes Logo
Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce BBB Business Review