Recruiting new Board Members is a never-ending task for not-for-profit organizations. It takes time, patience and community savvy to find just the right person to fill a vacancy. It's important to remember that even when the perfect candidate is found, the individual must be aware of, and agree with, certain non-negotiable requirements expected of the not-for-profit Board Member.

New Board Members must:

1. Believe in the mission of the organization. Recruiting new board members who don't believe in, or understand, your mission will be a waste of time and potentially harmful to the organization.

2. Attend all board meetings. The Board must work as a team. Each member brings a dynamic set of skills and insights to the organizational process. If a Board Member doesn't attend meetings he is not only letting the organization down, he is alienating the other members.

3. Serve on committees. Active, vibrant committees make up the backbone of the Board of Directors. These committees need dedicated members who are willing to work for success.

4. Help create the future. New Board Members are critical to the future of the charitable organization. Fresh new insights, wisdom and leadership will help propel the organization forward. Dynamic organizations can ill afford, or tolerate, "name only" members.

5. Understand ethical standards and practices. Serving on the Board of Directors carries with it not only fiduciary responsibilities but ethical ones as well. New Board Members should be familiar with the ethical standards of fund raising as well as Board activities and requirements.

6. Help establish goals. A charitable organization needs solid, achievable goals to survive and thrive. Formulating these goals is a critical duty of all Board Members.

7. Provide leadership to the staff. Board Members can play an important role as advisors, mentors and liaisons with other community supporters and leaders.

8. Help raise money. A charitable organization needs to raise money from many community resources. Board members can help identify prospects, open doors, and solicit potential donors.

9. Give to the annual fund. It is imperative to the fund raising effort that the first, and most generous donations to any campaign, come from the personal resources of the Board Members.

10. Attend special events. Special events draw an organization together. When Board Members attend special events it shows unity of purpose, executive support and builds a stronger organization.