Adopted from MACD.orgBy Judith Lindenau, CAE

September 2008

Ideas and methods to recruit District board members.

How the District decides what it needs in a new board member.

Why stronger boards strive for maximum diversity to achieve successful program development.

Programs Reflect Participants: Effective Conservation District programs are built with outstanding, and qualified District board members.

Diverse Skills Produce Credible Programs: A District board whose members exhibit a diverse combination of skills will be better able to gain community support for District and local conservation efforts.

Diversity Mirrors the Local Population: A board’s diversity should reflect, to the extent possible, the population that it serves.

Identify the qualities needed.Define the roles (job descriptions).

Develop and Use Recruitment Strategies

Integrate and continuously train board members.

YES NO

Open Minded and Innovative

Willing to Learn Available Time Fundraising Community Stature

and Respect Understands and

Supports Conservation Issues

Leadership Skills Works well with

Others Communication

Ability Legal Understanding Business

Skills/Financial Management Awareness

. Prospective members should have skills/experience in one or more of the following areas:

organizational development

public relations/marketing

volunteer management

financial management

non-profit boards

trusts/estate planning

It is our hope that prospective members are passionate about our mission: to inspire exploration, appreciation, and conservation of our natural world and are willing to act as advocates for the work of the District within the community.

What programs and activities would you like to do but because of the lack of resources (human and other) have been unable to accomplish?

What knowledge, skills and resources are needed to reach this goal?

What skills/resources are you missing on your current Board to achieve your Big Wish?

Who are your clients for this Big Wish? What types of new members do you need to

better serve/relate to these clients?

Write a Job Description

ResponsibilitiesDuties Obligations of District board members

WRITE A PROSPECTUS

• Mission and vision statements

• Your District’s primary goals and objectives

• Major current issues

• Major programs and activities

• Funding sources

• Expectations of District board members

• Benefits of being a Director

Train!

New board members needs specific information to help

them get “orientated” quickly. A variety of tools currently exist to help them in this learning process.

They are:

1) District Directors Handbook2) District Operations Handbook3) District Training Modules4) Your Guide to Michigan’s Conservation Districts –

pocket guide5) New Director and Staff Workshops - held each year

Other ideas each Conservation District can do to help

new directors get started on the right foot include: Partner a new director with a veteran director.

This type of mentoring is very beneficial to both directors.

Provide the new director with individual training with the District Administrator/Executive Director or Chair

Develop an orientation manual specifically for your District.

Resource AvailableResource Available Where to Find ItWhere to Find ItConservation District Directors Handbook Located in each District office.

Each Director should have a copy for personal use.

Conservation District Operations Handbook Located in each District office

Your Guide to Michigan’s Conservation Districts – Pocket guidebook

Located online at www.macd.org

Conservation District Training Modules Located online at www.macd.org

Proud to Serve: Conservation District Board Members Recruitment Reference Book

Available through the National Association of Conservation Districts. Order online at www.nacdnet.org

Recruitment begins with qualities desired Find someone representative of your

constituents Provide a job description of a Board Member Have training and materials ready

immediately!