Having trained literally hundreds of Boards, we have found that the typical Board member goes through stages. When people accept a Board position they feel special for being asked and are eager and excited.  However that enthusiasm does not mean they have knowledge about their position and/or the organization.  They need a strong orientation program to better understand the organization as well as to clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations.  It is also important to involve them quickly with activities that require an extra measure of energy, such as committee work and/or fundraising activities.

The second year brings with it a comfort zone in terms of their understanding of both the organization and their role as a Board member. They also start to consider if they want to serve in a greater leadership/executive role. In this second year, reliable board members often make their greatest contributions to advancing the organization.

If a Board member serves for more than three years, one of three things happens.  1. They are extremely valuable to the organization, 2. They meddle in the operations of the organization or 3. They become dead weight. This is why it is important that your bylaws include the length of board terms.  In two out of the three cases above, you may have to thank them for their service and suggest that they play a different role in the organization. Remember a good Board member drives the organization forward rather than dragging  it down.