An effective nonprofit board keeps its organization’s mission moving forward—and that means staying fresh and energized. Welcoming new board members while saying goodbye to others is a natural and essential part of that process. It brings new ideas, perspectives, and energy to the table.
In addition to enthusiasm for the mission, new board members bring needed skill sets, networks, abilities, and insights. The best way to ensure the vitality of a board through a regular rotation of members is to have term limits and stick to them.
Too often, we see boards that either have no term limits or ignore them, resulting in:
- Stagnant board energy, action, and growth
- Dwindling donor engagement
- Ineffective or difficult members impeding the work
The most common practice is to have three-year board terms that can be renewed once, for a total of six consecutive years of service. Members who rotate off are then eligible to rejoin the board after one or two years away. If there is a member terming out that you want to stay on the board, you could find another way to keep them engaged. Perhaps there is a different role in the organization that fits their skill sets and interests, such as a committee member or volunteer.
By embracing a board term limit policy, you can inject fresh perspectives, expand your donor network, and create a dynamic fundraising environment. Using term limits to regularly bring in new board members with intentional onboarding will:
- Grow your cadre of ambassadors in the community
- Develop leaders who can serve your organization for years to come
- Enhance your board’s work with fresh perspectives and new skills
- Widen your pool of prospective donors and volunteers
Term limits aren’t just a formality, they’re a key part of keeping a nonprofit board healthy and effective. By creating space for new voices and fresh perspectives, term limits help prevent burnout, encourage innovation, and ensure that leadership continues to reflect the evolving needs of the organization and the community it serves.
Is your board stuck on implementing or abiding by term limits? Give us a call and let’s create a plan for your organization.
Find more information and resources at Terms and Term Limits – BoardSource