Page 67 - C&A's Nonprofit Board Guide

EMBRACING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION EMBRACING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

PRACTICE POINTERS FOR
CULTIVATING DIVERSITY
Even though nonprofit staff and board ► Articulate Commitment: Adopt a ► Broaden Candidate Pool: Consider By prioritizing diversity and inclusion on
members WANT to diversify the statement affirming the nonprofit’s candidates at various career stages and nonprofit boards, organizations strengthen
composition of their boards of directors, commitment to diversity and backgrounds, reflecting the nonprofit’s their capacity for impactful leadership,
data show that not much progress has been inclusivity, prominently displaying beneficiaries and community supporters. innovation, and community engagement.
made. What if each charitable organization it on the organization’s website to ► Utilize Technology: Post board position Embracing diversity not only aligns with
committed to taking a few of these steps signal inclusivity to prospective board descriptions on career sites and job ethical imperatives but also enhances
during the next year? members. boards to attract diverse candidates organizational resilience and effectiveness
► Implicit Bias Awareness: Assign ► Skills-Based Recruitment: Focus beyond traditional networks. in pursuing mission-driven goals.
homework or dedicate time at on recruiting board members based ► Community Engagement: Solicit
board meetings for members to take on skills and expertise rather than board member recommendations from
implicit bias quizzes or participate in superficial attributes, ensuring diverse the nonprofit’s beneficiaries and engage
bias awareness training to facilitate representation without tokenism. them in the recruitment process.
discussions on diversity implications in ► Proactive Recruitment: Set concrete
board recruitment. goals for board member diversity, ► Challenge Assumptions: Instruct
► Resource Sharing: Include resources on assigning accountability for outreach search consultants to present diverse
candidates who may challenge board
diversity, inclusion, and equity in each efforts and celebrating achievements to norms, promoting broader perspectives
board packet to familiarize members reinforce commitment. and combating homogeneity.
with the rationale and need for diversity,
stimulating intentional conversations
about commitment.

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