According to the latest survey conducted by the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, NPC, 80 percent of Berkshire non-profits are in need of board members. The majority of nonprofits describe their need for between one to three additional members as urgent and are seeking to hire them within the next few months. Liana Toscanini is the Executive Director at NPC. She says, “I do not think that this is a new thing.” Board members change depending on their personal circumstances or the duration of their term. Toscanini said that as organizations change, they look for different skills.
What will nonprofits be looking for by 2024? According to the survey, some things haven’t really changed. The survey shows that nonprofits still seek people who have board experience, financial skills, fundraising abilities, willingness to “roll up their sleeves” and the means of funding to join their boards. In the last few years however, non-profits have been looking for ways to increase diversity on their boards. This is to make sure that they are able to offer a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
Nonprofits in Berkshire County would like to have more people of color, and younger individuals represented. The NPC Board Composition Survey found that 61percent (900) of those board members are older than 56. 82 per cent are white. A diverse range of opinions is generally considered beneficial to the board’s decision-making.
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In the Berkshires, there is a vibrant and large nonprofit sector. There are more than 250 nonprofits in South County. Central Berkshire County hosts over 400 nonprofits, including many larger agencies. North Berkshire County boasts more than 125 non-profits. This means that hundreds, and possibly thousands of board members are needed.
NPC, Berkshire United Way and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation have launched a joint campaign with 1Berkshire. Get on Board Berkshires! The board match service uses forms to collect information on the preferences and needs of nonprofits as well as individuals.
Get on Board launches officially with a coffee meetup for free at Shakespeare & Company’s Elayne-Bernstein Theatre on April 25, 2019The th From 8am to 9:30am. Register here if you are interested in volunteering locally and have the skills to do so. https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/get-on-board
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