Comments on: Passion is Overrated http://www.nonprofituniversityblog.org/2008/08/passion-is-overrated/ A blog for the business of nonprofits Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:39:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Terrie Temkin http://www.nonprofituniversityblog.org/2008/08/passion-is-overrated/comment-page-1/#comment-653 Terrie Temkin Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:20:54 +0000 http://www.nonprofituniversityblog.org/?p=81#comment-653 I would identify several criteria when looking for new board members. My top three: First, I want someone with a passion for sharing their skills to further the mission. This is a different entity than passion for the mission. Someone can know a minimal amount about the organization or its mission but burn to use their skills to make a difference in the community through serving on the board. (Hopefully, in time they'll feel passionate about the mission, too.) Second, I want strategic thinkers - people who question, generate options, see the ramifications of decisions. Third, I want people who not only understand the expectations, but commit to meeting them, fully understanding that they will not retain their board seat if they fail to meet the expectations. Terrie Temkin CoreStrategies for Nonprofits, Inc. www.CoreStrategies4Nonprofits.com I would identify several criteria when looking for new board members. My top three: First, I want someone with a passion for sharing their skills to further the mission. This is a different entity than passion for the mission. Someone can know a minimal amount about the organization or its mission but burn to use their skills to make a difference in the community through serving on the board. (Hopefully, in time they’ll feel passionate about the mission, too.) Second, I want strategic thinkers – people who question, generate options, see the ramifications of decisions. Third, I want people who not only understand the expectations, but commit to meeting them, fully understanding that they will not retain their board seat if they fail to meet the expectations.

Terrie Temkin
CoreStrategies for Nonprofits, Inc.
http://www.CoreStrategies4Nonprofits.com

]]> By: Laura Otten http://www.nonprofituniversityblog.org/2008/08/passion-is-overrated/comment-page-1/#comment-647 Laura Otten Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:02:53 +0000 http://www.nonprofituniversityblog.org/?p=81#comment-647 Laura's response to Bob: While I love the written word, I am clearly not sufficiently skilled to allow you to hear my tone and emotions when I write. I would never, for a moment, wish to reduce board members to automotons dispensing skill in a sterile environment. Passion for mission has been and always will be one of the chief criterion by which I would judge a board member. But let's be clear: passion alone is not enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a board member. Laura’s response to Bob: While I love the written word, I am clearly not sufficiently skilled to allow you to hear my tone and emotions when I write. I would never, for a moment, wish to reduce board members to automotons dispensing skill in a sterile environment. Passion for mission has been and always will be one of the chief criterion by which I would judge a board member. But let’s be clear: passion alone is not enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a board member.

]]> By: Bob McInnis http://www.nonprofituniversityblog.org/2008/08/passion-is-overrated/comment-page-1/#comment-645 Bob McInnis Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:00:09 +0000 http://www.nonprofituniversityblog.org/?p=81#comment-645 I have sat on many boards, many of which were completely dysfunctional. I agree, passion cannot be the prime selection criteria for appointment to a board. Neither should we reduce the role of board members to a series of specific skills and tasks. The board that I report to now seeks individuals who can engage in a fulsome discussion of a broad number of issues, understand process and then make well reasoned decisions accepting that time and evaluation may prove them wrong. I have sat on many boards, many of which were completely dysfunctional. I agree, passion cannot be the prime selection criteria for appointment to a board. Neither should we reduce the role of board members to a series of specific skills and tasks. The board that I report to now seeks individuals who can engage in a fulsome discussion of a broad number of issues, understand process and then make well reasoned decisions accepting that time and evaluation may prove them wrong.

]]>