Board Recruiting:

Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers

Step-by-Step: Recruitment and Orientation
BoardSource
A four-part system to recruit and orient new board members.  Available for purchase.
www.boardsource.org/Bookstore.asp

The Board Building Cycle: Nine Steps to Finding, Recruiting, and Engaging Nonprofit Board Members
BoardSource
Available for purchase.
www.boardsource.org/Bookstore.asp

Eligibility Criteria to Consider for Board Service
Council on Foundations
A worksheet of various qualities to look for in new foundation board members.
www.bestpractices.cof.org/family/ViewSample.cfm?itemNumber=1555

Qualities of the Good Trustee (PDF)
Association of Small Foundations
A list of the basic qualifications that apply to board members for all types of foundations (reprinted from “Foundation Trusteeship: Service in the Public Interest,” The Foundation Center).
www.foundationinabox.org/guide/boards/qualities_of_a_good_trustee/file

Board Profile Worksheet (PDF)
Council on Foundations
A tool to help identify some desired characteristics and current gaps on a nonprofit’s board.
www.bestpractices.cof.org/family/ViewSample.cfm?itemNumber=1557

Sample Inclusive Trustee Selection Process & Trustee Search Letter
Council on Foundations
www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentID=758

Sample Resource Book for Board Members
Council on Foundations
www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentid=1124

Sample Foundation Membership and Training Committee Policy & Description
Council on Foundations
www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentid=1123

Megan Wentworth

Board Learning/Training:Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers

Presenting: Board Orientation — An Introductory Presentation for Nonprofit Board Members
BoardSource
A presentation template for a board orientation or recruitment session. Available for purchase.
www.boardsource.org/Bookstore.asp

A Colleague’s Perspective on Trustee Orientation
Council on Foundations
A trustee shares her thoughts on how to orient new family members as family foundation trustees.
www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentID=1001

Getting Oriented (PDF)
Council on Foundations
This article offers tips and advice on developing an effective orientation program for new foundation board members.
www.cof.org/files/Documents/Family_Foundations/Trustee%20Orientation/Getting_Oriented.pdf

What Goes in the Board Manual?
BoardSource
A checklist for putting together a board manual that can be an effective orientation and resource tool for board members.
www.boardsource.org/FullAnswer.asp?ID=98

To Go Forward, Retreat! The Board Retreat Handbook
BoardSource
This handbook provides tips, tools and lessons learned for a successful retreat planning process. Available for purchase.
www.boardsource.org/Bookstore.asp

A New Take on a Good Idea: Board Retreats
BoardSource
This article offers guidance on how to plan and executive an effective board retreat.
www.boardsource.org/AuthoredArticle.asp?ID=18

Primer on Grantmaking
Association of Small Foundations
This online primer covers some basic tools needed to assess a grant proposal effectively, which can be a useful introduction for new foundation board or staff members.
www.smallfoundations.org/why_give_/primer_on_grantmaking

Virtual Classroom: Foundations and Their Role in Philanthropy
The Foundation Center
This free online course provides an introduction to foundations, their giving, and their role in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector — which can be a useful orientation tool for new foundation board or staff members.
fdncenter.org/learn/classroom/free_ftrip_detail.jhtml

Bringing on the Board: Practical Steps for Orienting Foundation Board Members
Association of Small Foundations
This primer guides a foundation through an entire process of planning and implementing an orientation for new trustees. Available for purchase.
www.smallfoundations.org/programs/primer_series

Sample Board Member Orientation Materials
Council on Foundations
www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentid=1122

Megan Wentworth

For Additional Resources, please see the Board Training Section of the Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington website:

http://www.gosw.org/grant/makers/info/board_traning/