{"id":594768,"date":"2022-06-30T17:19:23","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T21:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/?p=594768"},"modified":"2022-07-05T16:12:29","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T20:12:29","slug":"new-board-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/new-board-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"An Onboarding Checklist for New Board Members"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Back in the day, when I was a brand new board member, I was given a binder packed full with a bunch of stuff<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of stuff<\/em>, you ask? Well, it had loads of pages in it\u2026 and there were TONS of numbers\u2026 and I saw the words \u201cstrategic plan\u201d… and then there were a bunch more pages with a bunch more numbers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It felt a bit like the car manual in my glove box. Maybe you read it from cover to cover but it just overwhelmed me. It reminded me of the many things that I\u2019m responsible for and yes, all the things that could go wrong<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was told that while there was supposed to be a meeting to onboard a few of us new board members, well, there just wasn\u2019t time right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut, not to worry,\u201d they said, \u201cif you have questions about the bunch of stuff<\/em>, you can always call or email so-and-so!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I joined this board with a sense of excitement and pride \u2014 I chose this organization with care and intentionality. I wanted to participate in the work of THIS organization. I was ready to get going from day 1. I often talk about ideal board members having a mission pilot light on<\/a> that you can see. Mine was shining so very brightly\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And all I got was a bunch of stuff<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I was reminiscing about my time as a new board member, it got me thinking about all the information that would have really been useful to me on day 1. So, I know you will be excited to hear there is a downloadable checklist with this article that has everything you need to onboard your new board members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But based on what I just said, be prepared \u2014 it\u2019s light on stuff<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

WHAT EXACTLY DOES A NEW BOARD MEMBER NEED?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My checklist is more work than putting together a binder full of stuff. But, a new board member does need some stuff. The other thing that may feel onerous is that my checklist assumes an in-person (ideally) orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a quick rundown. A new board member needs\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n