Aspiring directors face stiff competition when looking to find a board position, and the not-for-profit sector is no exception. Three experienced NFP directors give their top tips on how to approach looking for your first NFP board role.
While starting out on the board of an NFP is one way many aspiring directors start their boardroom careers, it is still a professional commitment, says Kate Thiele FAICD, non-executive director of Zoos South Australia and former CEO of Guide Dogs SA/NT. “There is no ‘P-Plate’ part of the process. New directors need to be prepared to step into the full role.”
“In the first few board meetings, new directors need to find the right balance between over-contributing and being too passive. Both can be detrimental to the board’s performance,” she says. “Being a director is a practice in the art of listening, robust debate and effective decision-making. New directors should be willing to embrace it all from the very start. Mentors and fellow directors can help guide you.”
