The Leadership Gap We Should Have Noticed

I think a lot about a challenge that many nonprofit organizations are facing: finding effective board members. Over the 25+ years I have worked in nonprofit organizations, it seems to have become harder, even as more training opportunities have emerged and board members have greater access than ever to governance education and resources.

Almost every executive director and board president I know has struggled at some point with board recruitment. It's not that people don't care. In fact, many people are passionate about their communities and eager to help. The challenge is that serving on a nonprofit board requires a specific set of skills and knowledge that many people have never had the opportunity to learn.

What strikes me is that this wasn't always the case.

For much of the twentieth century, Americans learned leadership in places that weren't intentionally designed as leadership schools. Organizations like the Elks, Rotary, Lions Clubs, Granges, church councils, PTAs, and neighborhood associations gave people opportunities to serve on committees, run meetings, organize events, manage budgets, and work through disagreements. Over time, members learned how organizations functioned and how leaders made decisions.

Many of the people who eventually served on nonprofit boards had already spent years practicing governance in these civic organizations. They had learned the ropes by doing. As membership in many of these groups declined over the past several decades, we lost more than social clubs and community gathering places. We also lost some of the informal training grounds that helped develop future leaders. The effects were gradual, so most of us didn't notice them right away. But today, many nonprofit organizations are feeling the impact.

This is not to suggest that previous generations were better leaders, but rather that they often had more opportunities to practice leadership before stepping into governance roles. As those opportunities diminished, so did one of our most effective pathways for developing community leaders.

The result is a growing leadership gap. People often join boards with tremendous professional expertise and a sincere desire to help, but little understanding of nonprofit governance. They may be excellent teachers, business owners, healthcare professionals, artists, or engineers. Yet board service requires its own set of competencies, including financial oversight, strategic thinking, executive partnership, fundraising, and fiduciary responsibility.

These are not skills people automatically acquire simply because they care about an important cause. These are skills that can, and should, be learned.

This matters because nonprofit organizations play an essential role in addressing many of the challenges facing our communities. They feed families, support the arts, protect the environment, provide housing, mentor young people, and deliver critical services. More than ever, these organizations are serving as critical safety nets for individuals and families facing crisis. Strong organizations require strong leadership, and strong leadership requires preparation.

Board training is often viewed as a technical exercise or a compliance requirement. I think it's much more important than that. Board training is really leadership training. It's an investment in the capacity of our communities to solve problems, steward resources, and create positive change.

If we are going to tackle the challenges ahead, we need more people who know how to lead collaboratively, think strategically, and govern responsibly. We need more citizens who are prepared to step into community leadership roles. The good news is that leadership can be learned through intentional education, practice, and a commitment to growth.

If you've ever considered serving on a board, I encourage you to seek out a governance training program. Learn how nonprofit organizations work. Understand the responsibilities of board service. Develop the skills that will help you contribute effectively. Then look around your community. There is likely an organization that could benefit from your skills, perspective, and leadership.

We often talk about the need for more volunteers. What I believe we need just as urgently are more trained leaders. Because every effective board strengthens an organization, every strong organization strengthens a community, and every stronger community helps build the future we all want to see.

Our comprehensive board training and certification program begins in September. Participants may choose our foundational board training course or enroll in our Board Member Certificate Program, which offers a deeper exploration of nonprofit governance and community leadership. At the Board Table can also bring customized training directly to your board—in person or online—for one affordable rate.

Reach out today, as class sizes and training capacity are limited. At the Board Table experienced board trainers are ready to help your board become more confident and effective community leaders. Your organization - and your community is counting on them.

www.attheboardtable.com