Board Service Readiness Checklist

While board service can be an extremely rewarding experience and can greatly impact the organization, it may not be the right fit for you at this time of your life. To determine whether board service is right for you right now, answer the following questions:

Readiness Checklist
  • I fully meet the eligibility criteria for the elected position.
  • I am interested in advancing a cause that I feel passionate about.
  • I am curious to delve into and learn about issues facing my community and the world.
  • I am interested in a new environment and experience to further develop myself as a leader.
  • I am interested in meeting people outside of my usual professional and social circles.
  • I understand the roles and responsibilities of being a board member.
  • I have enough autonomy in my schedule to accommodate board and committee meetings.
  • I am patient and collaborative when working as a team.
  • I can commit the time necessary to be an exceptional leader.

If you answered YES to most of the questions above and you meet eligibility criteria, consider nominating yourself for an elected position!

If you answered more than two questions with a “No,” then you may want to consider other ways to get involved with an organization prior to joining the board, such as exploring appointed volunteer opportunities.

Willingness to Serve Questions for Prospective Board Candidates to Consider

The purpose of this list is to have members familiarize themselves with the types of questions they may be asked during the vetting/interview process by the Nominating Committee and/or during the Candidate Meet & Greet so that they can fully reflect and make sure that they are ready and suitable for elected service on the national board.

  • Why do you want to join this board?

  • How much time are you willing to devote?

  • What professional expertise and skills can you bring to the board?

  • How will you fit board service into your personal, work, and other commitments?

  • What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?

  • How well do you work with others?

  • Do you have any conflicts of interest? (explain conflicts of interest)

  • How may your conflicts of interest impact your service? Review the Conflict of Interest Policy

  • How could you serve as a link between the organization and the community or between the organization and potential supporters?

  • How familiar are you with the Academy’s strategic plan?

  • How will you support the fulfillment of the Academy’s strategic plan?

  • Are you ready to uphold the following fiduciary duties? As a Board member, you have legal duties that include:

    • Duty of Care: This duty requires officers, directors, and Academy leaders to exercise ordinary and reasonable care in the performance of their duties, exhibiting honesty and good faith. Officers, directors, and Academy leaders must act in a manner which they believe to be in the best interests of the association, and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.  

    • Duty of Loyalty:  This is a duty of faithfulness to the organization. This means that officers, directors, and Academy leaders must give undivided allegiance to the organization when making decisions affecting the organization. In other words, officers, directors, and Academy leaders cannot put personal interests above the interests of the organization. Officers, directors, and Academy leaders should be careful to disclose even potential conflicts of interest to the Academy and should recuse themselves from deliberation and voting on matters in which they have personal interests.  

    • Duty of Obedience: This duty requires officers, directors, and Academy leaders to act in accordance with the organization's articles of incorporation, bylaws, and other governing documents, as well as all applicable laws and regulations.