A great board member will be an active volunteer who is devoted to the organization, its members and mission. They aren’t afraid to ask difficult questions and discuss their expertise with other board members and take on the role of a leader within committees. They also seek opportunities to improve their governance skills and gain new skills by attending leadership classes and workshops.

A good board member is aware of the time commitment required for board work. They plan ahead and make it a priority to attend all board and committee meetings. They are involved in committees and provide assistance and feedback as required. They also look for ways to make the board more efficient, such as using tools like scheduling software and platforms that allow for easy sharing of documents.

The most important trait of a good board member is their ability to exercise sound judgement. They don’t let small-scale issues derail a board meeting or distract from the organisation’s mission. They are able to see the bigger picture and offer an perspective that is vital to making decisions. They also have a clear perception of the industry’s overall, which impacts strategy options, M&A opportunities, hiring and firing, fundraising, legal additional resources issues and design decisions for organizational structures. A sound judgment requires a certain amount of wisdom that has been cultivated through experience in difficult situations, from learning from mistakes, and the ability to discern. Board members lacking this skill could cause harm to your business.