Community Board Member Onboarding Checklist

Community Board Member Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Community Board Member starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Volunteer onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Community Board Member, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Community Board Member onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Community Board Member Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the organization: The new community board member should be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the organization, including its mission, values, and goals. This task is typically performed by the executive director or a senior staff member.

2. Orientation to the board: The new board member should receive an orientation session that covers the board’s structure, roles, and responsibilities. This task is usually conducted by the board chair or a designated board member.

3. Review of bylaws and policies: The new board member should be given a copy of the organization’s bylaws and policies, and should have the opportunity to review and ask questions about them. This task is typically performed by the board secretary or a designated staff member.

4. Introduction to fellow board members: The new board member should be introduced to the rest of the board members, either through a formal meeting or informal gatherings. This task is usually coordinated by the board chair or executive director.

5. Familiarization with ongoing projects: The new board member should be provided with an overview of the organization’s ongoing projects and initiatives, including any relevant background information. This task is typically performed by the executive director or a designated staff member.

6. Training on board governance: The new board member should receive training on board governance, including topics such as fiduciary responsibilities, strategic planning, and decision-making processes. This task is usually conducted by a board development consultant or a designated staff member.

7. Introduction to key stakeholders: The new board member should be introduced to key stakeholders, such as community leaders, partner organizations, and major donors. This task is typically coordinated by the executive director or a designated staff member.

8. Review of financial statements: The new board member should be provided with an overview of the organization’s financial statements, including the budget, income statement, and balance sheet. This task is typically performed by the treasurer or a designated staff member.

9. Participation in board meetings: The new board member should attend board meetings to observe and familiarize themselves with the board’s dynamics, decision-making processes, and meeting protocols. This task is usually coordinated by the board chair or executive director.

10. Introduction to staff members: The new board member should be introduced to the organization’s staff members, including their roles and responsibilities. This task is typically performed by the executive director or a designated staff member.

11. Review of past meeting minutes: The new board member should be provided with past meeting minutes to review and gain insights into previous discussions and decisions. This task is typically performed by the board secretary or a designated staff member.

12. Participation in board committees: The new board member should be assigned to a board committee, such as finance, fundraising, or governance, to actively contribute to the organization’s work. This task is usually coordinated by the board chair or executive director.

13. Introduction to the organization’s volunteers: The new board member should be introduced to the organization’s volunteers, acknowledging their contributions and understanding their roles within the organization. This task is typically performed by the volunteer coordinator or a designated staff member.

14. Review of strategic plans: The new board member should be provided with the organization’s strategic plans, including goals, objectives, and action plans. This task is typically performed by the executive director or a designated staff member.

15. Attendance at community events: The new board member should be encouraged to attend community events related to the organization’s mission, to gain a deeper understanding of the community’s needs and the organization’s impact. This task is usually coordinated by the executive director or a designated staff member.

16. Introduction to the organization’s communication channels: The new board member should be familiarized with the organization’s communication channels, such as email lists, social media platforms, and internal communication tools. This task is typically performed by the communications manager or a designated staff member.

17. Review of legal and compliance requirements: The new board member should receive information on legal and compliance requirements relevant to the organization, such as reporting obligations, conflict of interest policies, and ethical guidelines. This task is typically performed by the executive director or a designated staff member.

18. Mentorship or buddy system: The new board member should be assigned a mentor or buddy from the existing board members to provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support during the onboarding process. This task is usually coordinated by the board chair or executive director.

19. Introduction to the organization’s technology systems: The new board member should be provided with access to the organization’s technology systems, such as email, document sharing platforms, and project management tools. This task is typically performed by the IT manager or a designated staff member.

20. Evaluation and feedback: The new board member should be given the opportunity to provide feedback on the onboarding process and their overall experience, to continuously improve the onboarding program for future board members. This task is typically coordinated by the board chair or executive director

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Community Board Member checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Community Board Member up to speed and working well in your Volunteer team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.