Board Toolkit

Each registered nonprofit in the state of Oregon is required to have a board of directors.  Becoming a board member for a local nonprofit is a great way to volunteer and support an organization.  Nonprofits in Oregon depend on their board members for leadership, guidance, knowledge, and assistance. 

Why Join A Nonprofit Board?

Nonprofit board members serve mission-driven organizations in a number of ways: they bring connections, talent, experience, passion, perspective, and more. Here are a few reasons that you might want to get involved:

• To advance a mission that you're passionate about.
• To develop skills and broaden your experience.
• To make new connections, build relationships, and contribute to a team.
• To give your expertise, support, guidance, time, and energy to a cause you care about.

How to Get Involved?

Before joining a board, it's a good idea to understand the roles and responsibilities of board service. Here are some helpful articles:

Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards. This article from BoardSource provides an overview of what duties are part of your job as board member.

Before You Say Yes...Questions to Ask Before Joining Boards (attachment at bottom of page). TACS prepared these questions to help you make informed decisions about board service.

Nonprofit Boards: How to Find a Rewarding Board Position. This article from BridgeStar offers insight to help you find the right board fit.

Guide to Nonprofit Board Service in Oregon. This guide from the Oregon Department of Justice outlines your rights, roles, and responsibilities as a board member.

Also, research nonprofits and find one with a mission that excites you. Use the search feature on the left to find organizations by 'area' or 'type' or look at our Volunteer Toolkit for links.

Board Member Resources

Board Café, an easy-to-read, to the point column for busy board members that is posted on Blue Avocado, an online magazine for people who volunteer and work in the nonprofit sector.

BoardSource is a nonprofit organization specializing in building nonprofit boards and inspiring board service with a rich website full of resources.

Connectipedia Nonprofit Boards and Leadership Topic is a page in Meyer Memorial Trust’s shared learning community, Connectipedia.

Energize, Inc. is an international training, consulting, and publishing firm that provides an extensive list of articles, books, and websites related to board service and development.

Guide to Nonprofit Service from the Oregon Department of Justice outlines roles, rights, and responsibilities for nonprofit board members.

Idealist.org Board Service and Skilled Volunteerism Resource Guide provides international links to resources for board members and for people looking to volunteer on a board.

Nonprofit Risk Management Center has articles on risk management and governance for nonprofits.

Northwest Business for Culture & the Arts (NWBCA) Art of Leadership Program is a five-workshop series specifically designed for training business people to serve on arts boards.

Oregon State Statute for Nonprofit Corporations, Chapter 65 is the governing state statute for all nonprofits in Oregon.  This is good general knowledge for any board member.

A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Boards of Directors (Chapter 13 of The Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Handbook by Cynthia Cumfer & Kay Sohl) can be used as a board manual to recruit and orient new board members and educate current members.

Resource Center on Boards and Advisory Councils from the Corporation for National & Community Service.

TACS Nonprofit Questions & Answers has frequently asked questions from the TACS Helpline with a Board of Directors section.

TACS Nonprofit Board Network (NBN) is a monthly networking opportunity in Portland that meets over pizza and beer in the Pearl District to hear from experts, build skills, strengthen leadership, and increase board effectiveness.