Nonprofit Boards generally have one thing in common: they all have a board chair.
While we work on developing a better understanding of how best to develop the capacity of board chairs and even consider, as one of my associates offers, a
career track" we must also think about what elements contribute to making an effective chair and from that, what selection criteria is even used to pick the optimal board chair (as though boards are truly intentional about their selection of a chair beyond "they were willing to do it or no one else was willing".
Here's my list of criteria I have heard boards discuss openly or not so openly. You be the judge about which criteria are objectively more likely to produce an effective candidate: willingness; availability; history within the org.; looks really good; is really smart; is passionate about the mission; has lots of experience at "x"; works really hard; has been here forever; relates to the exec really well; relates really well to the other board members; has money and/or friends with money.
Have you any other criteria and how would you rank these if they all fit on your list? A second question: how should a prospective board member be prepared for a role as board chair?