I very much like the message and solution offered in the following Burlington Gazette article. The basic idea: those who want to serve on nonprofit boards should be trained at least with the basic concepts. An effective and efficient method: a Zoom course. We know few folks want to read all the materials that are available for prospective and even serving board members. We also know that for the most part, whether it be time or timing, onboarding is just not generally well done. So..putting every prospect in the same "room"? Why not? It's a great first step.
Directors of non profit organizations need to be properly trained
burlingtongazette.ca/directors-of-non-profit-organizations-need-to-be-properly-trained/October 11, 2022
By Pepper Parr
October 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The number of really bad boards of Non Profit organizations in the city is disturbing.
Far too many of the boards don’t know what Board of Director responsibility are and make foolish mistakes.
Community Development Halton(CDH) has had its share of Board of Director problems where people were really not fit for the job and the responsibility involved.
CDH has taken a step to help resolve the problem.
They are sponsoring a 90 minute Zoom course on being a Director of a Non profit organization. Roll the cursor over the type to enlarge it for reading
The granting agencies, municipalities, Trillium, Halton Region, United Way – should make it a requirement that every director appointed has taken the course and passed a written exam.
When non profit boards are advertising for volunteers having taken a course should be a prerequisite – and don’t accept that they will take the course later – they seldom do.
Making training a prerequisite is saying that the organization is serious and wants only people that are serious and have been properly trained.