Elevate Your Not-for-Profit’s Impact with Diverse Leadership
Workforce diversity has been, and rightfully so, a topic of increased focus recently. Many organizations have implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies relating to hiring and other human resource practices. However, the focus on diversity of organization governance is often still overlooked.
Not-for-profit organizations, specifically public charities, have an obligation to serve the public. Organizations with a board of directors that reflect the diversity of the people served helps to ensure not only adequate representation but also that the needs of the people served are met.
Recruiting board members can be difficult. Here are some tips:
Reach out to your local chamber of commerce. They often have programs for placing board members, or their connections can be leveraged to connect individuals and organizations
Have your board members complete a self-assessment related to DEI to help identify any gaps or unaware bias
Ask the people served who they would recommend as a board member. The results may surprise you
Utilize connections and technology to find potential board members. Social media can be a powerful tool
