I'm New to The Board : What Do I Need to Know?
- Julie Léger
- Feb 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 1
Starting Strong on a Board of Directors: A Practical Guide for New Directors
Joining a Board of Directors (BoD) is a rewarding experience, but it can also feel overwhelming at first. Understanding your role, responsibilities, and the board’s dynamics is essential to quickly integrating and contributing effectively to the organization’s mission.
This article covers :
the fundamentals of governance,
the legal obligations of board members,
and best practices to be an active and engaged member from your very first meeting.
This content is designed for:
✔ New directors who want to integrate quickly, understand their role, and make a difference.
✔ Officers responsible for onboarding and integrating new board members to ensure a smooth transition.
Understanding Nonprofit Governance
As a board member, it’s crucial to distinguish between:
🟢 Governance:
strategic direction,
regulatory framework,
risk management,
oversight.
🔵 Operational management:
programs and services delivery and execution,
daily administration,
human resources management.
The Legal Responsibilities of a Board Member
Serving on a board comes with several legal obligations, including:
✔ Complying with applicable laws and regulations.
✔ Demonstrating loyalty: making decisions solely in the best interest of the organization, free from external influence.
✔ Maintaining confidentiality regarding board discussions.
✔ Exercising due diligence: making informed decisions, asking questions, and reviewing key documents before approving resolutions.
The Five Habits of an Effective Board Member
1️⃣ Prepare Before Each Meeting
Review the agenda and documents sent in advance.
Familiarize yourself with financial statements and performance reports.
Ask questions ahead of time if necessary to clarify key issues.
2️⃣ Ask Strategic Questions
Don’t just listen—stimulate collective reflection.
Focus on big-picture issues and avoid operational details.
Use open-ended questions:
✔ What are the long-term impacts of this decision?
✔ What risks have we not yet considered?
3️⃣ Respect the Distinction Between Governance and Management
The board focuses on strategy and oversight.
The executive team manages daily operations.
Trust the team in place and avoid micromanaging operational tasks.
4️⃣ Adopt a Collaborative and Attentive Approach
Practice active listening by summarizing and validating others’ points.
Respect diverse perspectives and encourage open discussions.
Understand the board’s history and past decisions before making new proposals.
5️⃣ Actively Engage in the Board’s Activities
Join at least one board committee.
Attend organizational events.
Continue learning about governance to improve your skills.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Not Preparing for the First Meeting
❌ Risk: Struggling to follow discussions, having little impact in decision-making.
✔ Solution: Read governance documents and ask about the onboarding process.
Confusing Strategic and Operational Roles
❌ Risk: Interfering with daily management, creating role confusion.
✔ Solution: Ask yourself: Does this discussion concern strategy or operations?
Not Asking Questions
❌ Risk: Making decisions without fully understanding the issues.
✔ Solution: Practice active listening and ask open-ended questions to enrich discussions.
A Practical Tool to Get Started: The New Director Checklist
To help you integrate smoothly, you can use this New Director Checklist which includes :
Key documents to review: bylaws, regulations, internal policies.
Roles and responsibilities to understand: mission, vision, legal obligations.
Key stakeholders to identify: Who does what within the organization?
By reviewing this checklist before your first meeting, you will gain confidence and efficiency from day one.
Are you new to a board? What challenges have you faced? Share your experience in the comments!
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Julie Léger, GPC.d
Alain Vachon, GPC.d
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