Many nonprofits end their fiscal year on June 30. And for most, that’s also when board members change over. That means it’s very likely you’re going to have a few new board members.

Do you know who you’re going to ask to join the board?

If you’re typical of many nonprofit organizations, you’ve waited until now – two months before the annual meeting – to look for new board members. Your nominating committee is tasked with rounding up likely prospects and inviting them onto the board.

For some of your prospects, it’s the first time they’ve even thought about the possibility of joining you. And they have to give your committee an answer in less than a week. For others, they’re just itching to get on the board and tell you everything you’ve been doing wrong.

Of course, it’s also possible you’ve done some homework, and know about ‘getting the right people on the bus.’

But what questions do you ask to find out if they’re the right people?  Whether they have an accounting practice or a legal degree is simple to find out. But asking some key questions will let you in on their inner workings. Questions that will help you decide whether this is someone you want to work with.

“What would you like the organization to achieve while you’re on our board?”

“What will that make possible?”

 “Who will that help?”

Answers to the first question might very well be about balancing the budget or serving more clients. But the answers to the second and third questions will tell you about the candidate.

Is this someone who is thinking about your mission and why you exist? Is this someone who will partner with the rest of the board and staff in an effort to make your community better?

Consider the possibilities of having a board full of individuals who think beyond the budget. What could you achieve?