By Akilah Massey, Exponent Philanthropy

Quick. Imagine your ideal board members sitting around a table. Who is there and why?

Most of us agree that board members should be committed to the organization, and good leaders. It may be helpful to include an attorney to draft a conflict of interest statement. A CPA who serves as treasurer. But what about a technology professional?

I recently had the chance to attend the Nonprofit Technology Conference, and at the session “What’s Your Board’s IT IQ?” I was challenged to consider a professional that’s often left off the list: the information technology (IT) professional.

Presenter Leon Wilson of the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Highway T told us that just 1% of directors in for-profit corporations have a tech background. We don’t have stats on foundations or other nonprofit organizations, but we can assume they’re similar.

And there’s really no reason for this gap.

Many boards could work more strategically with the unique skills of senior level IT professionals at hand. Their background and experience mean they’re often poised to shift the board’s perception of technology from a budget line item to a strategic opportunity.

Board members with strong technology backgrounds can offer steady guidance whether shopping for or just shoring up internal tech infrastructure. They help organizations make sense of available technology—deciphering between tech that meets a need and tech that doesn’t fit. Maybe most important, tech professionals can help to incorporate the technology landscape into planning for the future.

Senior technology professionals also tend to be highly skilled in communication, teamwork, problem solving, and organization—and who wouldn’t want those qualities in a board member?

What percentage of your board members have a tech background? What about among your grantees?

Is the strategic use of technology part of your board-level discussions?

Related posts

Our Foundation Needs a Technology Plan Too?

Is Philanthropy Behind the Tech Curve?

Related resources

Exponent Philanthropy’s technology resources

Recruiting Foundation Trustees: How to Identify and Find the Right People for Your Board

Why Your Company Should Consider Adding a CIO to the Board

Technology Affinity Group (TAG), a community of IT and communication professionals working in the philanthropic sector

Senior Program Manager Akilah Massey focuses her energy on planning educational programs—including the recent CONNECT conference and 990-PF Tax Seminar—and dedicates a portion of her time to managing Exponent Philanthropy’s resources on technology tools and networks that can help members work more efficiently and effectively. Follow Akilah on Twitter @akilahmassey.