YOUR VIEW: Nonprofits boards must boost diversity

By Gail Fortes, Sarah Gonet and Marie Frances-Rivera
Ms. Fortes is executive director of the YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts. All three women live in New Bedford and are members of the Leadership SouthCoast class of 2008.

SouthCoast Today.com
May 02, 2008

Direct link to article online through SouthCoastToday.com

Recognizing that there is a lack of diversity in age, race and ethnicity, gender, economic status, geography and area of expertise among many of our local nonprofit boards of directors, the United Way of Greater New Bedford, the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts and Leadership SouthCoast are launching a new online database called Board Connections. This new tool will address the need for increased diversity on the boards of directors of local nonprofit organizations throughout Greater New Bedford.

Many times, we see the same faces around the table. This needs to change so we can involve more people in the process. Survey responses from a number of local nonprofits reveal that many organizations find it challenging to recruit new board members. In addition, there is a real lack of diversity in age, ethnicity, gender and area of expertise among many of our local nonprofit boards.

Many people have expressed interest in serving on boards, but do not know how to access these opportunities. Boards of directors need to be diverse in as many ways as possible. Boards should reflect the population served by the nonprofit and the community at large. Board Connections is a great way to make that happen.

The United Way's online database, Board Connections, seeks to connect potential board members with volunteer board opportunities. This online tool allows nonprofits to post information about board openings so community members can then search through and volunteer to serve as a board member. Board Connections will also serve as a tool to help nonprofit organizations reach out beyond their immediate circles to find potential new board members and build new community relationships.

The database is free and easy to use. Potential volunteers and nonprofits seeking board members should log onto this site to register their board opportunity, as well as to view board member postings: unitedwayofgnb.org/volunteer.htm.

This is a wonderful opportunity for nonprofits in our area to diversify their boards, as well as provide multiple ways to engage new board members from various backgrounds. For more information and/or assistance with the Web site, contact Caroline Cuccia at 58-994-9625, Ext. 15, or ccuccia@unitedwayofgnb.org.