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Are Term Limits Right for Your Non-Profit’s Board Members?

Term limits for non-profit board members can be a double-edged sword. They can allow you to easily let go of unsuccessful board members, but they also can cause you to lose the best sooner than you would like. Consider some of the issues involved before making a decision.

Review the pros

Term limits allow you to remove inactive or difficult members politely and, hopefully, without hurting their feelings. They also can create an opportunity for new board members with fresh ideas and perspectives to come on board and provide flexibility as your organization grows. Suppose, for example, that a board member’s term is expiring and a key initiative is to replace outdated technology. This is an ideal time to add a new board member with information technology expertise.

Term limits can help board members, too. By knowing in advance that their terms will be expiring, they can move on to other non-profit boards without feeling guilty. They also can exit gracefully if age or life-changing situations affect their participation.

Recognize the cons

In some circumstances, term limits do more harm than good. First, your organization may have to look for qualified and dedicated volunteers every couple of years, which can be difficult and time consuming. In addition, term limits require your board and organization to commit to an endless cycle of new member training. This can diminish your board’s return on its training investment — by the time a member becomes a valuable asset and is effective, their term may be up.

Also, you may sacrifice your most dedicated members. Although, ideally, all board members contribute significantly and equally, non-profits often have a few members that perform the bulk of the board’s work. Losing one of these key people can be devastating. Last, you may lose institutional knowledge and organizational history when founding and experienced members leave.

Other options

If term limits are not appropriate for your organization, but you want to ensure board members are active and engaged, think about developing an advisory committee to evaluate members and assess their ongoing interest. To discuss your options, contact us.

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