The board of directors is comprised of volunteers who are leaders for the organization, typically without pay. They offer their time and knowledge to ensure the future success of the company.

A clear process for selecting the board can help to identify the best candidates to fill the vacant posts. A well-defined, vetted selection process can boost its image in the community and help attract new members.

It is beneficial to develop and implement a board candidate evaluation sheet to compare the qualifications and create a final list of potential candidates for the board. The ratings could be based on factors like experience and skills or knowledge, or on broad questions to help board decide if a candidate is a good match.

When you interview candidates, look for genuine interest in helping your school better serve kids and their families. Can they articulate the ways in which their previous experiences and their current professional path contribute to the school’s mission? It is also board culture important to determine if the prospective student can commit to the long time and energy required for weekly meetings, discussions and professional development seminars.

It is important to think about your contribution when deciding whether or not to accept an invitation to join a board. It’s also important to remember that a position on a board is not like a typical job interview. It’s a highly sought-after job. There are a myriad of benefits, which can be just as valuable as the obvious monetary benefits. You may gain access to new acquaintances and investors, learn how other companies run their international operations, or how they’ve developed high-quality corporate cultures.