A Community Health Center Board of Directors is unique in its composition and needs. Understanding federal regulations and best practices for finding board members will go along way toward helping you create an effective and dynamic governing Board of Directors. The following tips and resources will be useful both if you are creating a board from scratch for a New Start health center, and if you are seeking new members for your existing Board of Directors.

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What Should Your Board Look Like?
Recruiting Board Members


WHAT SHOULD YOUR BOARD LOOK LIKE?
FQHC Board Composition Requirements

• The number of members on your board should be specified in the bylaws of your organization (either a specific number or a range); by law, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) need nine to 25 board members, representative of the populations served by the health center
  
• At least 51% of the board members must use the health center as their regular source of health care
  
• No more than ½ of the non-user board members may earn more than 10% of their annual income from the health care industry
  
• The remaining members should be representative of the community served by the health center
  
• No board member may be an employee of the center or the spouse, child, parent, brother, or sister of a health center employee
  

For more information about FQHC governance regulations, visit these online resources:

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)
Public Health Regulations Governing Grants for Operating Community Health Centers, Specifically § 51c.304: Governing Board

National Association Of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
Reference Document: "So You Want to Start a Health Center: a Practical Guide for Starting a Federally Qualified Health Center"

Before you begin active recruitment:

• Make sure the organization's by-laws or other internal rules specify a process for selecting board members that represent the populations served by the center (this is required by federal law)
  
• Make sure the organization has a clear mission; board members that believe in this mission are more likely to energetically support the organization
  
• Identify the tasks that will be accomplished by the new members
  
• Identify any specific skills needed by the new members (e.g. advocacy, marketing, finance, law, fundraising, etc.)
  
• Work with the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, applicable board committee, and others to:
  • Brainstorm possible sources of new board members (e.g. health center users, local volunteer and membership organizations, colleges and universities, etc.)
  • Identify and research possible individuals for recruitment

When recruiting individuals:

• Remember the board composition requirements set forth in your by-laws and in federal regulations
  
• Keep in mind these preferred board member characteristics:
  
  • Look for someone not too busy, but without too much time on their hands
  • Look for people with experience, skill, and expertise in areas that are important to your organization
  • Consider people who have served on other Boards of Directors
  • Pick independent, thoughtful, and passionate people
  • Recruit people who will look to the future (with an understanding of the present) instead of focusing on the past
  • If possible, choose people who are ready to contribute financially
• Make your expectations very clear, both verbally and in writing; avoid future surprises by using a Board Member Job Description to illustrate specific needs and duties
  
  • Click HERE for a sample Board Member Job Description.
• Have prospective board members ask themselves these questions:
  
  • Is this the right cause and organization for me?
  • Can I work with this agency and this board at this particular stage in its life?
  • What can I, and what will I, contribute to this organization?
  • What do I want out of being on this board?

For more board recruitment information, visit these online resources:

Alberta, Canada Government Community Development
Board development workbook: Developing Job Descriptions for Board Members of Nonprofit Organizations
Board development workbook: Recruiting and Developing Effective Board Members for Not-for-Profit Organizations

CompassPoint Board Café
Nonprofit Board Opportunities including BoardnetUSA, a resource for matching individuals with organizations seeking volunteer board members

GuideStar.org
What to Ask Every Prospective Board Member

Help 4 NonProfits & Tribes Institute
10 "STOP" Signs on the Road to Board Recruitment

The Jewish Resource Network
Organizational Development: Fact Sheet - Board Member Selection

ManagementHelp.org
Guidelines for Recruiting New Board Members
Sample Job Descriptions for Members of Boards of Directors

Metro Volunteers
Board Bank: Colorado resource for recruiting and training volunteer board members