A cohesive board can help a nonprofit group realize its highest goals. But recruiting the wrong board member can lead to problems that can keep a nonprofit organization from focusing on its mission.

To avoid such problems, how can organizations find trustees whose outlook and agenda will aid the charity in reaching its goals? Is it worth the cost to hire executive recruiters to search for board members? What qualities and experience should a nonprofit leader look for in a trustee?

And what should organizations seek out in terms of fund-raising responsibilities? Should trustees assume they will be expected to donate money at annual intervals? How involved should board members be in fund raising? And what are the best ways board members might lead by example?

Click on the window below to replay a discussion that addressed these and other questions about how to build an effective board of directors.

The Guests

Hildy Gottlieb is president of the Community-Driven Institute, in Tucson, Ariz., where she teaches and advocates for boards to be accountable for community impact. Her book, Board Recruitment & Orientation: A Step-by-Step, Common Sense Guide, is used widely as a text on accountability for community impact in undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States and in many other countries.

Emily Heard is a consultant at BoardSource, in Washington, where she conducts board assessments, reviews governance structures, and develops curriculum for nonprofit groups. Previously, Ms. Heard served as director of education and professional services at the International Business Ethics Institute, and managed research projects for the Corporate Executive Board.

Simone P. Joyaux is a consultant on fund raising, board and organizational development, and strategic planning. She is the author of Strategic Fund Development: Building Profitable Relationships That Last.

Click on the window below to view the replay of this archived discussion.