The Call to Serve

As a former chair of Chorus America, I found having an insider's view for four years of the successes achieved by Chorus America—and those of individual choruses throughout North America--to be an incredible experience. I continue to be grateful to my fellow board members and the staff for the privilege. For it truly is a privilege to serve on a not-for-profit board—which is why it surprises me that so many of our member choruses tell us they have difficulty finding board members, and ask our advice on getting the right people onboard. Well, here's my take.

In my experience few board members seek out the opportunity to serve. Most are a bit surprised and humbled by being asked, and are persuaded to accept the opportunity when they see they can make a significant contribution to an organization they care deeply about. And, that's the first characteristic I would look for in a board candidate:

Passion about the organization and its mission. No matter what skills an individual might bring to your chorus, they won't be an effective contributor if they lack passion for choral music. That doesn't mean they have to be singers themselves—they just need to love the music. Take me, for example. Though I vaguely remember how to sightread, and can sometimes croak out a decent baritone, I do not have the talent to contribute to the performance of a respected chorus—either from the risers or the podium. But the music touches me at the very core of my being; I cannot imagine living without it. So I have been more than happy to use skills I do possess to help lead the management of the organization that surrounds and supports those who have the musical ability.

While many of us look around our board table and identify missing areas of expertise to fill (finance or marketing savvy for instance), I'd also encourage you to look for people who think and problem-solve differently.

Unique contributor to the composition of your board. A board is not one thing; it's a collection of many individuals. There is real strength in having diverse skills and approaches to apply to planning and problem solving. While many of us look around our board table and identify missing areas of expertise to fill (finance or marketing savvy for instance), I'd also encourage you to look for people who think and problem-solve differently. When everyone is focused on achieving the same mission for the organization, but are pondering a problem differently, the results are amazing.

Appetite for collective learning. The proceedings of a board composed of unique contributors can be passionate, but everyone learns something in the process—about themselves, about your organization, or about a new approach to problem solving. There is little room around such a table for those who already have all the answers. But there is always a seat for those who are enthusiastic about being among a group of varied, interesting people collaborating on meaningful issues.

Experience in community or other volunteer activities. As we all know, there is plenty of messy work that goes on behind the scenes in order to produce real beauty in concert. And while one can rehearse for a performance, there is no rehearsal available for board or committee meetings. So, experience doing board work elsewhere can help ensure that your candidate understands the subtleties of working collectively, and how to use committee time wisely.

Sense of responsibility to the organization, its mission, and its people. The voice of my parents comes through to me here. We were taught the highest privilege we could experience is to be called in service to something bigger than ourselves. We all know it—one always receives more in return for acts of generosity than one actually gives. I have found this to be especially true when I have contributed to the choral music field.

No one on your board will have to face organizational challenges alone. Chorus America's research has demonstrated that the individuals who populate your organization are 'doers.' Choristers are more civically minded, and more apt to jump in to help with any situation. Plus, you have the resources of Chorus America to support your efforts. From Chorus Management Institutes, to The Chorus Leadership Guide, to informative articles online and in The Voice, to accessible and knowledgeable staff and fellow members—Chorus America membership provides the support your board needs to guide your chorus to achieve its goals.

While this is clearly not an exhaustive list of board member attributes, it is one I believe would produce a team of servant leaders for your board. Such a group will fulfill your chorus's mission admirably, and in so doing they will contribute to strengthening the choral art form as a whole.