Pictured: Izzy Stark, Tammy Flores, and Amandine Louis-Charles are three Selby Scholar alumni who served in key roles to help the Selby Foundation decision-making process this year based on their experiences. Photo courtesy of Selby Foundation.

When nonprofits are doing their best work, they attract and retain talented and experienced volunteer leaders who make the organization and the community stronger.

I remember unsuccessfully trying to recruit a woman to a local board because she understood what it was like to be on the receiving end of services. She would have contributed to important conversations in ways others could not. She understood what it felt like to be both a donor and a client. I still think of how strong that board would be with her. But she couldn’t see herself in the position, and truthfully, I could have done a better job of explaining why her voice was valued.

It’s a credit to all of us when incredible people get involved because they believe they have something to offer or because we show them.

Volunteer leaders who power strong nonprofit boards can make a significant difference in the success of our collective community, especially during this inflection point in our rapidly changing world. Boards that are built from inquisitive contributors with independence, interest in the community, and willingness to keep learning can be exceptional.

During our site visits with grant applicants at the Selby Foundation, we require a board member to join us. Their leadership matters. We learn from hearing them talk about the organization’s work and explaining the ways their board meaningfully partners with the CEO, but also, their broader understanding of the region.

Outside of commonly sought after professional backgrounds, three types of skills/knowledge are among those that stand out as we talk to board members.

Board Members Who Know the Landscape

A board member who is knowledgeable about other nonprofits in Southwest Florida with related or complementary missions has priceless contributions. Appreciating the landscape contributes to better decisions. For example, a relationship with a nonprofit partner may better leverage community resources. In another instance, knowing the community might lead to a decision to reduce the number of programs the nonprofit offers, concentrating on few programs that provide the greatest impact. This can allow other entities to do what they do best too.

Questions your board can ask: Who else is doing similar work? Are both needed? If so, how can we work together to better support our community as a whole?

Board Members Who Ask Thoughtful Questions

Good boards have diversity in thought. The chair creates an environment that encourages thoughtful questions—not as challenges to operations or the CEO—but as doorways to achieve nimbleness, opportunity, or affirmation in the face of new situations.

Questions the board can ask: Are we scenario-planning for our changing environment in Sarasota and Manatee? What creative options allow us to meet new or expanding needs? Is it our role to tackle this challenge?

Board Members Who Have Lived Experience

Board members who have experience as participants in the types of programs the nonprofit provides offer genuine and essential insights. These invaluable perspectives in the boardroom give direction where big decisions are made. These are the voices that have equal parts “heart” and “smarts.”

A question the board can ask: How does the board honor the voices of those with direct experience with the types of services our organization provides?

The summer is a great time to think about what personal leadership can look like for yourself. And if you serve on the board of a nonprofit already, it’s a good time to think about your role in recruiting others that can achieve more impact with the precious resources available to create a better community, not just a better organization.

Susie Bowie is the President and CEO of The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.

Pictured: Izzy Stark, Tammy Flores, and Amandine Louis-Charles are three Selby Scholar alumni who served in key roles to help the Selby Foundation decision-making process this year based on their experiences. Photo courtesy of Selby Foundation.