Who can serve on an advisory board?

Building an effective advisory board is a crucial step in the creation of a successful nonprofit organization that is equipped to meet a specific community need. Your advisory board will provide critical guidance and support, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise that help ensure your project’s long-term success. The specific roles and responsibilities of advisory board members are outlined in detail in the attached Advisory Board Handbook.

Once you’ve reviewed the handbook and are ready to start recruiting advisory board members, here are some important policies to keep in mind:

Key Guidelines for Advisory Board Membership:

1. Project Leaders Who are Staff Should Not Serve on the Advisory Board
   While the Project Leader plays an essential leadership role in the organization, they should not serve on the advisory board if they are an employee/staff member. The advisory board is meant to provide external guidance, and the Project Leader should focus on executing the project’s day-to-day activities and ensuring its success. Having the Project Leader off the board helps maintain a clear distinction between advisement and management. The only situation in which the Project Leader may serve on the Advisory Board is if they are a volunteer Project Leader and they are not employed by Community Partners. 

2. Advisory Board Members Cannot Be Hired as Consultants
   To avoid conflicts of interest, advisory board members should not be hired as consultants for your project. Their role is strictly to advise and offer strategic direction, rather than being directly involved in paid consulting services or financial transactions.

3. Non-Project Leader Staff Members Should Not Serve on the Advisory Board
   To maintain the advisory board’s independence, employees should not serve as members. This helps ensure that the advisory board’s advice is unbiased and not influenced by internal operations or daily management.

4. Advisory Board Members May Be Compensated for Their Time and Expenses
   While advisory board members are typically volunteers, they can receive compensation in the form of reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in their role. For example, they can be reimbursed for covering the costs of hosting a meeting.

5. Minimum Number of Advisory Board Members
   Your advisory board must have a minimum of three members. This ensures a diversity of perspectives and expertise, which will strengthen the board’s ability to provide thoughtful, well-rounded advice. 

Family Members and Advisory Board Membership

While it’s important to prioritize diversity and external perspectives, family members of the Project Leader or current staff should generally not serve on the advisory board. Having family members on the advisory board can create potential conflicts of interest and undermine the board’s ability to make objective, unbiased decisions. If you are considering a family member for the advisory board, please  consult with the programs team to ensure alignment with best practices.

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Creating an effective advisory board is a vital part of your nonprofit’s growth and sustainability. By following these guidelines and focusing on external expertise and diversity, you’ll build a board that can help guide your organization toward success. If you have any further questions about the advisory board process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the programs team for additional support.