A good board member is a devoted boardroomparty.com volunteer who understands their responsibilities as a spokesperson for the association, its members, and its mission. They aren't afraid to ask difficult questions and discuss their expertise with other members of the board and take on leadership roles within committees. They also seek out opportunities to enhance their governance abilities and acquire new ones through leadership workshops and classes.

An excellent board member understands the time commitment required for board work. They are required to attend all meetings of the board and committees. They are involved in committees and provide support and feedback as needed. They also look for ways to make the board more efficient with tools like scheduling software or platforms that allow the sharing of documents with ease and management.

The ability to exercise good judgement is the primary quality of a great member of a board. They don't let small-scale issues hinder a board meeting or distract from the company's mission. They can see the big picture and provide a valuable perspective from afar that is crucial in making a decision. They have a solid understanding of the industry as a whole which can impact strategy options, M&A, hiring and firing decisions and fundraising, legal issues, and organizational design. Wisdom is acquired through failures, experience and intuition. Board members lacking this skill could do your business a disservice.