Everyone
knows that you’re going to run the world someday. How? Because that’s life.
You’re
born. You go to school. You learn things. You pretend like you know what you’re
doing. The next thing you know you have a stellar group of people looking at
you for direction. This may be a team of VP’s or your kids or your book club
that meets every Thursday night. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re
going to be great.
 |
| Nonprofit Governance Index, Board Source, 2012 |
Readers! I
urge you to consider this proposition immediately. When you leave the halls of
Notre Dame (or another fine higher education institution) you must consider
getting involved with a nonprofit enterprise.
You are
trained. You have skills. You understand technology. The boards of nonprofits
need people like you. In 2012, only 2% of nonprofit board members where under
30.1 So the question is, where are you? Where are all the young
people?! Are you lost? Are you afraid of the baby boomers that sit on the
boards of nonprofits? Finding young people on boards is like playing a game of
Where is Momo the mysterious and adorable dog. Except that he’s a Bordie Collie
and you, inevitably, can always find him.
 |
| Hide and seek is only cute when Momo is involved. Take action young people of the world! Photo credit: http://tour.gofindmomo.com |
Are you afraid to ask stupid questions? Don’t Be. Kim Jonker and William
Keener in the article A Better Board Will
Make You Better wrote, “…be willing to ask stupid questions at board
meetings. And keep asking stupid questions until you figure out what the
“smart” questions are.” When I join new initiatives I have a
library of questions. Do not let the unknown scare you.
I know your
time may be limited. Work can be time consuming. Maybe you’re starting a
business or starting a family. But the truth is getting involved is good for
both you and the nonprofit organization. You will meet people outside of your
professional world and social circle. Communities thrive when young people get
involved.
When the
baby boom generation graduates to retirement our generation will be asked to
guide the strategy and operations of nonprofit organizations. Boards should
encourage young people now, because where you and I lack experience, we make
up for in zeal. And if you can figure out wearable technology, then you can
most definitely follow an agenda.
5 Tips for
getting involved:
1. Care about the cause: One of my roommates in college had
a saying that “volunteering doesn’t make you a good person. Being a good person
makes you a good person.” Don’t sign up for a cause that you can’t get excited
about. Stay positive.
2. Find a board that is passionate
about the mission:
“To be truly effective, members of a nonprofit board must engage directly and
deeply in the substantive work of their organization.”
3. Start small: Start by going to an information
session and talking with people about the organization. Volunteer for
activities. Create some understanding of what the non-profit hopes to
accomplish in the community before you sign up.
2. Be realistic about your time: If you’re starting your career you
may be tracking some pretty late nights at the office. Be realistic about the
time you can give to the organization.
3. Find an employer that meets your
needs: There are
many workplaces that support their employees getting involved in the community.
Talk to your community relations department and see what options or
affiliations may be available.
Sources
1. Nonprofit Governance Index, Board Source, 2012
2. A Better Board Will Make You Better, Jonker and Meehan, Social Innovation Review, http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/a_better_board_will_make_you_better
3. I Want To Be a Board Member, Board Source, 2012
4. Young Emerging Leaders Program, Institute for Civic Leadership
http://tour.gofindmomo.com
I love this. One of the greatest things I have been able to do is take my knowledge I have learned at ND and apply it in my old role, now part-time, at the non-profit I work at. What are your thoughts on providing pro-bono work for non-profits as opposed to joining the board? For me, I would rather donate my time and expertise as opposed to fund raise, which is usually a requirement for Board positions.
ReplyDeleteI fully support this, but the question is do organizations want under 30-year-old members?
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Danielle! Great tips. I love ask stupid questions until you know what the smart questions are.
ReplyDeleteCommon theme in your tips is passion. People who care enough about a cause or population to take action.
To respond to Adel's question.
ReplyDeleteNet Impact has a program called Board Fellows which helps to place MBAs on the boards of nonprofits. Considering that the average MBA is 27, there are boards who have welcomed the opportunity to have them on their boards.
We will be launching this program in Mendoza this summer, it would be interesting to see if nonprofits in Northern Indiana/Chicago are receptive to the idea.
What I love about this is that it helps individuals make contributions that they are uniquely qualified to give. Boards may desire to have young minds that are nonetheless strategic and analytical thinkers. MBAs and other young skilled professionals often desire to make a difference, but want to contribute using unique skills and talents. This, then, seems like a great solution.
ReplyDeleteI don't think i would have thought of this on my own, but I'll definitely explore the possibility wherever I end up after graduation!
Great post, Danielle, and one that I think too many under 30s are unaware of. To respond to Adel's question, it depends. Some boards require a give or get and will look for board members to contribute financially as well as strategically. More and more boards, however, are looking to millennials to bring fresh ideas and energy to their boards, which can include innovative funding and other strategies. Personally, as a former board president, I would welcome it!
ReplyDelete