About Being a Board Member
Being on the Board of any organization is a function that carries with it some level of responsibilities.
We should consider the following to know how ready we are for this assignment:
1) Be capable of bringing fresh perspective to the Board and the organization
2) Be ready to hold people accountable
3) Be ready to read and know what the requirements are
4) Should go beyond the sphere of being competent but expand your view to the larger picture. Be able to see how what’s happening in the environment affects the organization you are involved in.
5) Should be intellectually curious. Get online and get books to increase your knowledge.
6) You need to be the person with something intelligent to say at the meeting. Let people look forward to seeing and hearing your opinion.
7) You should have networks you can draw on.
8) You have to have an opinion and be able to defend your perspective. Stick to your opinion.
9) Have a track record of integrity. Your name should bring respect not shame to the board.
10) Have a deep understanding of the roles of the board. Goes beyond being an executive.
Ask! Don’t be ashamed. Ask! You owe it to the organization to correct a stereotype.
🍾🥂🍸 To your success! You deserve it.
This will surely serve as a Companion for such accidental Board members who found themselves in such position but hardly know what is required of them beyond mere attendance of meetings. Very enlightening! I pray you go further and develop it into some form of management material drawing from your wealth of experience in board membership to fully help others. Well done, Madam!
Many thanks.