Finding qualified team members for the board of directors can be an intensive process. Many boards establish a nominating committee to conduct searches for appropriate candidates and transition the new board members into their roles as directors.
Composition of the Nominating Committee
The board of directors appoints members to the nominating committee. The committee represents a number of different perspectives. Its membership consists of both board directors and key staff members of the organization who can establish roots within the community that the organization serves.
Other directors of the board and staff members who have not been appointed to the nominating committee can also assist the committee by suggesting potential candidates.
Duties of the Nominating Committee
The primary duty of the committee is to lead the recruitment process for suitable members for the board. Other duties include:
- becoming familiar with the boards bylaws and policies regarding recruiting and nominating new board members;
- ensuring the board and individual board members are evaluated on a regular basis;
- maintaining records of current directors’ skills, experiences, and terms of service;
- analyzing the current board’s skills and areas for improvement, as well as anticipating the future needs of the board;
- developing selection criteria to be used in the recruitment process;
- initiating the brainstorming of potential candidates with the help of the board and the organization;
- screening suitable candidates according to the selection criteria and recommending successful individuals to the board of directors; and
- ensuring the new board members receive proper orientation and other necessary training.
Developing Selection Criteria
To be most effective in ensuring the right candidates are considered, the selection criteria must consider the composition of the current board, the current directors’ qualities, and the dynamic needs of the organization.
Some basic qualities that the nominating committee considers in potential board members include the candidates’:
- overall interest and enthusiasm in serving on the board;
- level of integrity;
- team work skills;
- ability to think for the future;
- time availability and time constraints;
- ability to support fundraising; and
- ability to influence others.
The nominating committee carefully analyzes these qualities with those of the current board and considers how the prospective members and current members will work together. The committee also considers how the prospective members will influence the existing board dynamics.
The nominating committee considers how the potential members will fit with the organization both in its current state and in the future. Factors that influence this include:
- the type of board and its level of decision-making;
- the development stage of the board;
- the short-term and long-term focuses and goals of the board; and
- special projects the board is planning.
Providing Information to Prospective Members
When suitable candidates have been identified, the nominating committee will initiate discussions with them to gauge their interest and provide answers to any questions or concerns.
For this reason, nominating committees often provide candidates with information about the board and the organization, including:
- the organization’s annual report, promotional brochures or newsletter;
- a summary of the organization’s services;
- a summary of the strategic plan;
- board member job descriptions and a list of the board’s duties; and
- information on board orientation and other training opportunities.
The nominating committee is fundamental to the board’s recruitment strategy and serves as the lead in the continuous process.
