Board not Boring—How OT Students and New Graduates Can Help Guide Nonprofits (And Learn Something, too!)

Allison Doerpinghaus, OTD

Occupational therapy students or new graduates can use their unique skillset to pursue a nontraditional advocacy role! Board service includes the meaningful contribution to a nonprofit organization and its mission through your role as a governing member. Having previous experience serving on a board of directors for 2 years, I’d like to share some specifics about board service and how it can be a worthwhile experience for OT students and new graduates.

What do OT students or new graduates need to know about board service? 

Serving on a nonprofit board of directors can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand what a board does and your role as a board member before committing to such a position. This article will discuss information relevant to service on a nonprofit 501(c)3 board of directors.

A nonprofit’s board of directors has all power, authority, responsibility, and liability for a nonprofit organization (Boland & Hofstrand, 2009).
A nonprofit’s board of directors is responsible for all decision making within the organization. Being a board member means that you will be involved with the majority of the decisions impacting the organization and have a legal responsibility to make decisions you feel best support the organization (Boland & Hofstrand, 2009). Make sure you are familiar with the organization, their mission, and how they serve the community before seeking a board position.

A nonprofit’s board of directors is typically made up of unpaid volunteers.
Even though many nonprofit board members serve the organization as an employee, the majority of board service is through volunteer positions (Boland & Hofstrand, 2009). Make sure you have enough time to dedicate to this volunteer role before seeking a board position.

A nonprofit’s board of directors should be made up of a diverse group of individuals.
Best practices show that boards that are diverse are better able to make decisions to support their clients (Bates-Ballard, 2009). Boards bring together groups of people with different skills and networks. Make sure you are advocating for the skills and perspective you bring to the table as an OT student or new graduate.

Why should OT students or new graduates serve on a board of directors?
Having served on a nonprofit board of directors for 2 years during my OT graduate education, I can attest to the incredible benefits of the experience! Consider the following things that students or new graduates are able to do as board members:

Use the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) perspective in a new way.
OTs are trained to consider the needs of the environment and the individual when making decisions; serving on a board of directors allows you to use this PEOP perspective to ensure that all board decisions are in alignment with community needs. For example, I was able to advocate for certain equipment and technology to be included in a new project to ensure equitable and accessible participation for diverse program participants.

Further expand interprofessional networks
Boards are filled with individuals from many walks of life. Therefore, serving on a board allows you to connect and engage with different groups of people. Even after moving cross country after finishing my OTD, I continued to use the board connections I made during my job search. You never know when your professional network might come in handy!

Hone in on and develop leadership and other professional skills that can be great résumé boosters
Serving on a board of directors is a leadership opportunity that can be used on your résumé or CV. Board governance requires interpersonal communication and conflict management skills, as disagreements and heated discussions are common. These skills strengthen résumés and are transferable to all other settings.

Make a difference in the community through board governance
Board service is a volunteer opportunity, and many board members report feeling like they are making a difference in the lives of others through their role. There is no greater feeling than making an impact in your own community! 

I’m interested in serving on a nonprofit board … now what?
aThere are a few important steps to take before you can serve on a nonprofit board of directors. Board Source (n.d.) has a four-step process for identifying, connecting with, and serving on a nonprofit board.

1. Find your passion—Identify the organization or agency mission that you are passionate about. Many board members begin as a volunteer within the organization. Also consider your experience and expertise as an OT student or new graduate. How can you maximize your experiences and skillset to further the organization’s mission and vision?
2. Identify board opportunities—Are there openings on the board? Current term limits that are ending soon? Some organizations will post openings on websites such as LinkedIn, while other positions are communicated via word of mouth. 
3. Connect with the nonprofit board and communicate why you’re a good fit—While board service is a volunteer position, most boards interview or hold elections for board member positions. Reach out to the organization, communicate your interest, and make sure you qualify and are prepared for the interview or other next steps. Even though you may not have much board experience, you still bring an important perspective to the table. Make sure you market your strengths as an OT student and explicitly communicate how you would be a great addition to the board. Do you have volunteer experience with this population? Did you complete a fieldwork rotation in a similar setting or with similar diagnoses? Are you learning or did you learn about this population or mission area in OT school? Explain why OTs are knowledgeable about this population or mission area and articulate how you would make the board more well-rounded!
4. Be an exceptional board member—Before your first board meeting, make sure you are well versed in the organization’s mission as well as your role and responsibilities as a board member. 

Board service allows OT students and new graduates to put their learning into action while utilizing their unique lens and skills to create sustainable and long-lasting change for an organization and the community at large. As OT students, I urge you to recognize how prepared you are for such a role and pursue it, as I believe it will be a meaningful experience that will open you up to a variety of learning and connections.

Resources

For more information on the process of serving on a board of directors and general board information, see Board Source’s website. 

Access a Board Service Readiness Quiz to identify if you are ready for board service.

Allison Doerpinghaus, OTD, is a recent graduate with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis and is pursuing a PhD in Occupational Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and is hoping to continue to study this during her PhD program. Her favorite leisure occupations include coaching volleyball, traveling, and playing with her Great Pyrenees mix, Beau.

References

Bates-Ballard, P. (2009). Board diversity: Your biggest challenge. Nonprofit World, 27(3), 24–25.

Board Source (n.d.). Serve on a Nonprofit Board. https://boardsource.org/fundamental-topics-of-nonprofit-board-service/composition-recruitment/board-service/

Boland, M., & Hofstrand, D. (2009). The role of the board of directors. Ag Decision Maker, C5(71). https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c5-71.html