Board members are elected by their peers to represent the shareholders’ interests and make important decisions for the organization. The method of appointing board members varies between organizations. Some organizations allow nominations to the committee, while others rely on Robert’s Rules of Order for the selection of board members. In either case, it’s important to establish clear rules and procedures for the process.
The process of recruiting candidates is a continuous process to ensure that the board is staffed with sufficient people with the qualifications and expertise necessary to meet the organization’s mission and goals. The nominating committee will typically examine each candidate and determine if they possess the right mix of experience, skills, and perspectives to be a part of the board. The nominating committee must consider whether the organization requires new expertise in areas such as marketing and financial management, fundraising, strategic planning, and inclusiveness and diversity.
The board will approve the list of candidates when the nominating panel has endorsed it. The board will review each candidate and decide on the list of nominees which will be put to the votes of the entire membership. The board can also review candidates who didn’t make the slate, and select individuals to serve on the board as directors at large. The entire board will then vote on the directors at a later time. In many instances the nominees won’t be present at the vote to allow the board to discuss their qualifications and ask questions in an intimate setting.