Spokes | Resources for Nonprofits

Find Us On Social Media:

  • About
    • History of Spokes
    • Annual Report
    • Meet Our Expert Volunteer Faculty
    • Staff & Board of Directors
    • News
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Organizational Membership FAQs
    • Spokes’ Privacy Policy
    • Support Spokes
      • Our Generous Donors
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Our List of Members
    • What Members Are Saying
    • Member Success Stories
  • Services
    • Nonprofit Board Service
    • Major Nonprofit Events
    • Starting a Nonprofit
    • Meeting Spaces
    • Special Resources for Uncertain Times
    • General Nonprofit Resources
  • Login
  • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Classes/Workshops
    • Spokes Nonprofit Symposium 2025
    • Ask an Expert
  • Job Board
    • Job Board

Board Service 101

October 7, 2024 by Michael Simkins

Serving as a director on a nonprofit board offers valuable benefits to both you and your community. You’ll develop leadership skills, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact on a cause you care about. Your volunteer service ensures the organization stays mission-focused and effective, supporting positive change and enhancing the quality of life in your community.

Topics in this short introduction include:

Your responsibilities as a director
The three “duties” of a nonprofit director
Finding the right board for you
Typical time and financial commitment

Article Categories

  • Financial and Legal
  • Fundraising
  • Governance
    • Board Development
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing & Communication
  • For Board Members
  • For Executive Directors
  • For Staff and Volunteers

DISCLAIMER: Spokes offers informed advice and recommendations, not professional counsel. Blog content is current as of the date shown. Individual posts are not necessarily updated, so please confirm the accuracy of the information, especially of older posts.

Popular Topics

"executive committee" board board of directors charity communication donations donors employees financial fundraising Governance grants leadership marketing nonprofit nonprofit governance nonprofit management nonprofits nonprofit symposium philanthropy policy productivity Professional Development recruitment reserve responsibilities retirement spokes taxes volunteers

Member Testimonial

“Many times you do not want to go to a meeting or conference or class, but you do anyway because you’re hoping to hear that one idea that can be truly beneficial. Every time I have gone to Spokes, I’ve come away with more than one of those ideas.  The resources they offer have been critical to the progress of our foundation. The experts they host have always been high caliber, and Spokes provided a direct connection to a grant writer who has helped us tremendously.”

Frank Kalman
Executive Director
Kids Cancer Research Foundation
San Luis Obispo, California

What Else Are Members Saying?

Learn about Spokes membership

Guiding nonprofits to achieve their goals through support and expert resources.

How Can We Make A Difference Together?

Spokes welcomes local professionals who would like to share their expertise in support of the nonprofit sector.

Get Started Contributing

Recent Articles

  • Setting CEO/ED Compensation: What Boards Should Know for 2026
  • Can You Really Offer Benefits on a Budget?
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant being discontinued

Copyright © 2025 Spokes | Resources for Nonprofits. All Rights Reserved.
PO Box 5122, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
Hosting by NDIC.
Photography by Nicole Boughton.