The most suitable board member can make an enormous difference in the success of your company. The board of directors represents the interests of your company and their decisions could influence the work you do. If the board is difficult to meet, doesn’t participate in meetings or is not in alignment with your values or the rest of the board, it may be time for them to be replaced.
A good board member is someone who is committed to the mission of your organization. Passion for the issues that your nonprofit is addressing will keep board members committed even after the initial excitement has diminished. They should also possess some degree of organizational or business expertise and an understanding of the fundamentals of good business practices.
You should look for people with diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities and experiences to be on your board. This will fill your board with diversity and let you present diverse perspectives to your leaders. Board members must also be willing to play devil’s advocate and examine assumptions regardless of whether those assumptions are from their own personal experience.
Ask potential board members to give you an estimate of how much time they’re willing to dedicate to the work of your board and the work of its committees. Many people who are interested in joining a board underestimate the commitment required for the duties. During the vetting process, it is important to discover any other commitments which might hinder their ability to be on your board.
http://www.boardmanagementsoft.net/5-tips-for-managing-an-existing-team-of-employees/