Building a More Inclusive Board and Staff.

Building a More Inclusive Board and Staff: Steps to Strengthen Diversity and Representation

A nonprofit’s board and staff are its driving force—making decisions, guiding strategy, and executing the mission. To truly reflect the communities you serve and address complex social issues, it’s essential to build a board and staff that are diverse, inclusive, and representative.

Let’s explore how you can take concrete steps to build a more inclusive board and staff, ensuring that your nonprofit thrives through the power of diversity.

Recognize the Value of Diversity

Diversity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for any nonprofit serious about making an impact. A diverse board and staff bring a variety of perspectives, skills, and experiences that enrich your organization and enhance its decision-making.

•  Diverse Perspectives: Different backgrounds and experiences lead to different ways of thinking, which can foster innovation and more effective problem-solving.
•  Community Connection: A board and staff that reflect the diversity of the community you serve can help build trust, improve outreach, and ensure that your programs are relevant and responsive.

Insight: Start by having open conversations within your organization about the importance of diversity. Understanding the value it brings can help build buy-in for your efforts to become more inclusive.

Assess Your Current Board and Staff Composition

Before you can make progress, you need to understand where you currently stand. Assess the diversity of your board and staff to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

•  Conduct a Diversity Audit: Review the demographics of your board and staff, looking at factors such as race, gender, age, socioeconomic background, and lived experiences. This will help you see where your organization may be lacking in representation.
•  Gather Feedback: Talk to your current board and staff members about their experiences. Do they feel included? Are there barriers to participation or advancement that need to be addressed?

Smart Strategy: Use the findings from your audit to create a baseline. This will help you set specific, measurable goals for increasing diversity and inclusion in your organization.

Set Clear Diversity Goals

To build a more inclusive board and staff, you need to set clear, actionable goals that guide your efforts. These goals should be aligned with your overall mission and strategic plan.

•  Develop a Diversity Plan: Create a plan that outlines your goals for increasing diversity within your board and staff. This plan should include specific actions, timelines, and metrics for measuring success.
•  Integrate DEI into Strategic Planning: Ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to your nonprofit’s strategic planning process. This signals to your entire organization that DEI is a priority.

Helpful Hint: Involve your board and staff in the goal-setting process. When everyone has a voice in shaping your diversity goals, there’s greater commitment to achieving them.

Expand Your Recruitment Efforts

Building a more diverse board and staff starts with broadening your recruitment efforts. To reach a wider pool of candidates, you need to look beyond your usual networks and be intentional about where and how you’re recruiting.

•  Broaden Your Networks: Reach out to professional associations, community organizations, and affinity groups that focus on underrepresented communities. These networks can connect you with diverse candidates who might not be in your immediate circle.
•  Advertise in Diverse Spaces: Post your job openings and board opportunities in publications, websites, and social media channels that cater to diverse audiences. This increases your visibility among a broader range of potential candidates.

Key Takeaway: Be proactive in seeking out candidates who bring different perspectives and experiences. The more intentional you are about your recruitment efforts, the more likely you are to build a truly diverse and inclusive team.

Create an Inclusive Environment

Recruiting diverse board members and staff is just the first step. To retain them, you need to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to contribute fully.

•  Foster a Culture of Inclusion: Ensure that your organization’s culture supports inclusivity. This means more than just being open to diversity—it’s about actively creating a space where all voices are heard and respected.
•  Provide Training and Support: Offer ongoing training on topics like unconscious bias, cultural competency, and inclusive leadership. This helps everyone in your organization understand their role in fostering an inclusive environment.

Expert Advice: Encourage mentorship and peer support within your organization. Pairing new board members or staff with experienced colleagues can help them navigate their roles and feel more connected to the team.

Evaluate and Adjust

Building a more inclusive board and staff is an ongoing process. Regularly evaluate your progress, and be willing to make adjustments as needed to ensure that your efforts are having the desired impact.

•  Monitor Your Progress: Track your progress towards your diversity goals using the metrics you’ve established. Regularly report on this progress to your board, staff, and community.
•  Stay Open to Feedback: Encourage continuous feedback from your board and staff about your DEI efforts. Use this feedback to make informed adjustments and keep your initiatives on track.

Actionable Advice: Consider establishing a diversity and inclusion committee or task force to oversee your efforts. This group can help keep your organization accountable and ensure that DEI remains a priority.

Closing Thoughts

Building a more inclusive board and staff is about more than just numbers—it’s about creating an organization where diverse perspectives are truly valued and integrated into every aspect of your work. By recognizing the value of diversity, setting clear goals, expanding your recruitment efforts, fostering an inclusive environment, and continuously evaluating your progress, you can strengthen your nonprofit and better serve your community.

Remember, this is a journey that requires commitment, patience, and a willingness to learn and grow. But the rewards—both for your organization and the people you serve—are well worth the effort.