Nonprofit Communications: Writing For A Better World

By James D’Ambrosio

Recruiting strong candidates to serve on the board of directors is a vital management  task in operating a successful nonprofit. Well-qualified, enthusiastic professionals with the desired knowledge, skills,  experience and judgment are always in demand. The trick is finding them. There’s a new resource I just learned about that can help with recruitment efforts.

INTRODUCING LINKEDIN BOARD CONNECT

On September 17, LinkedIn launched LinkedIn Board Connect, a program helping nonprofit executives identify and recruit well-qualified individuals to serve on boards of directors. The program includes: a) free access to Talent Finder (a $1,000 value as part of a premium account); b) access to an educational webcast delivered by experts; and c) membership to LinkedIn’s Board Connect Group providing access to valuable content and a strong network of nonprofit professionals.

Board Connect is being launched in “limited release,” providing an opportunity to learn from nonprofits initially taking part. (NOTE: The webcast is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, at 10 a.m., EDT. After signing up and attending the Webcast, you’ll have free access to a Talent Finder account and exclusive access to the LinkedIn Board Connect Group.)

Prior to roll out, nonprofits representing two key sectors — social entrepreneurs and education leadership — were identified to test the program and team up for the launch. Partners include: Teach for America; Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation; New Schools Venture Fund; and Charter Board Partners. According to LinkedIn, these types of organizations are well suited to benefit from Board Connect.

GEARED TOWARDS SMALL AND MEDIUM NONPROFITS

On a blog post, Meg Garlinghouse, LinkedIn’s head of social impact charged with identifying initiatives creating positive social impact, notes that while Board Connect is open to all U.S.-registered nonprofit agencies, it’s particularly well suited to small-to-medium-sized agencies that lack the resources or brand recognition to recruit board members. She explains that LinkedIn will monitor the number of nonprofits using Board Connect and plans to survey nonprofit executives gauging their success in securing professionals to join their board of directors and how strong those matches were.

RECRUITMENT PERSPECTIVE

While there is no perfect way to recruit board members, my own experience using LinkedIn professionally has certainly helped me connect (no pun intended) with some very accomplished individuals who I otherwise might not have had access to. In addition, LinkedIn continues to grow with 175+ million members who, with few exceptions, are predominantly professionally-minded individuals. In keeping with the theme of this blog — providing information and resources that can help nonprofits increase efficiency and meet mission — I present this resource as another  method of board recruitment that some agencies might find useful.

Learn More and Sign Up Here: http://nonprofits.linkedin.com

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QUESTIONS TO READERS:

What do you think of this new program? Are you inclined to try it?

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Board of Directors, LinkedIN Board Connect, LinkedIn Board Connect Group, LinkedIn Board of Directors Recruitment, Nonprofit Board of Directors, Nonprofit Board Recruitment, Social Media Board Recruitment |