Nonprofits and charities are organizations that help carry out essential work that makes the world a better place. Just like businesses, these organizations rely on people to accomplish their goals, whether those people are volunteers, staff members, or even the nonprofit’s board of directors. In this article, we’ll focus on what a nonprofit board is and the benefits of joining one.

Pictured above are Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta Board Members (Left to Right): Rob Spiller, Robin McCrory, Mike Nabors, Cam Abel, Burns Strider, and Doreen Muzzi

The Role of a Nonprofit Board

A nonprofit board of directors is the governing body of the organization. The board is a group of individuals—most of whom are volunteers and do not get paid for their work—who focus on overseeing the organization’s activities. 

The responsibilities of a nonprofit board of directors include things like high-level strategy, oversight, and accountability. This involves discussing the long-term goals of the organization and the strategies that should be implemented to achieve those goals. In order to do this, there are a few nonprofit board positions that take on more responsibilities than other board members. Board members that hold these positions are known as Officers, and the roles include:

• The President - The President is the head of the board of directors and all of the business and activities of the board.
• The Secretary - The Secretary documents and archives the minutes of every meeting of the board. This individual also keeps track of the organization’s activities and ensures that they are in accordance with the organization’s bylaws.
• The Treasurer - The Treasurer keeps track of the organization’s finances, including accurate accounting records of all of the receipts and disbursements of the organization.

Now that we know more about the role of a nonprofit board, let’s look at some of the benefits of joining a nonprofit board of directors, including testimonials from two of our own newest board members at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta.

What Are the Benefits of Joining a Nonprofit Board?

One of the main benefits of joining a nonprofit board is being able to contribute to an organization’s mission even when you aren’t able to be involved with it on a day-to-day basis. By being on the board, you can still make an impact, stay close to the organization, and help it succeed.

This is what one of our newest board members, Rose Daniels, had to say about joining the board:

"I believe—almost more intensely than I believe most anything else—in the overarching human desire to treat one another with dignity because, simply put, we are not in this alone. Living up here in New York, this is a special way to keep my home close to my heart.”

Another benefit of joining a nonprofit board of directors is raising awareness for the organization and helping navigate it into the future. Being on the board presents new opportunities to share your ideas and influence how the organization moves forward. Many board members have unique knowledge and perspectives that can be a major asset to the organization and its mission.

The second of our new board members, Dorothy Jones, had this to say about joining the board:

“The reason I decided to join the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Delta is because the Mississippi Delta is very near and dear to my heart. It’s been underserved and given a rep it doesn’t deserve. I think care and attention to our communities and children and families in need is the most important and honest thing I can give back.”

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta, we do whatever it takes to build great futures. In order to do so, we rely on the work of everyone in our organization, including the board of directors. We aim to serve the children in our communities, especially by keeping them safe and healthy while promoting respect and equality. One of the ways we do this is through our afterschool programs, which provide a safe place for all children where they have access to homework help, fitness activities, workforce development, literacy activities, and more.

Each of our programs and clubs provides kids with a safe place to play, learn, exercise, and receive nutritious foods. Find out how you can get involved with our organization by signing your child up for a club or afterschool program, making a donation, or volunteering to help our cause today!