Column: Dr Paugh On Board Members & More
[Opinion column written by Dr Nicola Paugh]
Bermuda’s nonprofit sector is the backbone of our community, addressing critical challenges in mental health, environmental conservation, youth services, and beyond. Despite their invaluable contributions, many of these organizations face a similar challenge—difficulty recruiting board members with the diverse skills and experience necessary for effective governance. This gap in governance jeopardises the sustainability and impact of Bermuda’s nonprofits, potentially limiting their ability to fully serve the community.
Nonprofit boards are essential; they shape an organization’s strategic direction, safeguard financial health, and ensure mission success. Strong, well-rounded boards provide oversight, guidance, and support, helping nonprofits navigate challenges and seize opportunities. In many cases, nonprofit boards are a “collective compass,” steering organizations toward their mission while ensuring financial stability and public accountability. For Bermuda’s smaller nonprofits—often without paid staff to handle marketing, communications, human resources, compliance, or IT—board members play a vital role in building these operational capacities, without which growth can be stunted.
In the early stages of a nonprofit’s development, boards are often populated by friends and family of founders, providing a lifeline to get these organizations off the ground. This is crucial, as these early board members are often deeply committed and involved in day-to-day operations. However, as nonprofits grow and evolve and boards transition to a focus on governance and strategy, they must recruit individuals with specialized expertise in finance, legal compliance, human resources, technology, marketing, and more. Additionally, boards benefit from members who can leverage relationships to support fundraising goals.
When these skills are absent, nonprofits struggle to meet their goals, no matter how dedicated their staff may be. Strong boards enable nonprofits to operate with resilience, make sound decisions, and plan strategically for the future. Unfortunately, many of Bermuda’s nonprofits face challenges in recruiting diverse board members with the wide range of these critical skills.
Joining a nonprofit board is more than an act of service; it is a unique partnership in leadership and impact. Board members directly influence a nonprofit’s effectiveness, improving the lives of those it serves. Serving on a board is also a way to volunteer using your skills, offering personal growth, networking, and the fulfilment of contributing to a meaningful mission.
Bermuda’s nonprofits need skilled and dedicated leaders who can actively engage in discussions, bring insight to strategic decisions, and offer governance expertise. We encourage Bermuda’s community to consider this rewarding path. Serving on a nonprofit board can be one of the most impactful ways to give back, while providing personal and professional growth. If you have expertise to share and a desire to see Bermuda thrive, think about joining a board. Your knowledge, commitment, and perspective could be precisely what Bermuda’s nonprofits need to continue their essential work.
To support this effort, the Nonprofit Alliance of Bermuda has launched a Nonprofit Board of Directors Recruitment Initiative, connecting skilled individuals with nonprofits in need of expertise. This initiative invites community members to explore nonprofit board service as a meaningful way to contribute to Bermuda’s nonprofit sector, and includes complementary training on nonprofit governance best practices. Thursday December 5th marks International Volunteer Day, so in celebration we invite you to consider how you can get involved and volunteer your talent. For more information on how to get involved, email admin@nonprofitalliance.bm and discover how your skills can make a lasting impact.
- Dr Nicola Paugh, Executive Director, Nonprofit Alliance of Bermuda
