Board of Directors Member v Advisory Board Member

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what sets board membership apart from membership on an advisory board. There are some obvious differences. Board members have a vote in the direction of an organization, while advisors serve to provide additional opinions about that direction, but have no actual vote. Board members are legally bound to follow proper fiduciary rules (starting with the 3 Duties), while advisors are not bound in this way, nor would they typically have the access necessary to negate legal oversight.

However, the differences go much deeper than simple legalities and authority to vote on important decisions. No matter what the issue, topic, or effort might be, advisors share their opinions, expertise, and feedback-and go home. Now, don’t get me wrong-a great advisor will also volunteer to help out in between meetings. Their opinions, expertise, and experience are great benefits to the organization, but, by definition, advisory board members are not expected to make a high engagement commitment.

A board member does all of those same things except they ARE expected to make the additional time commitment. And more than time, they are expected to make the WORK commitment. Even if you have staff, including an executive director, good (and even great) board members go above and beyond giving their opinions and making decisions at a once-a-month board meeting. They actively engage with your organization on an ongoing basis. An advisor gives you pointers on a year-end fundraising appeal, maybe even makes a donation themselves. A board member, in addition to donating and giving feedback, asks and commits to making phone calls, or to writing a personal appeal to send to the volunteer and newsletter lists.

That business executive on your advisory board will share their insights into what kinds of engagement or return on investment potential sponsors might be looking for. A board member will do that and offer to call, not only their own employer’s community outreach team, but other companies as well. Similarly, an advisor will share how workplace giving works at their company, while a board member will do that, as well as offer to help recruit other companies. An advisor is a great resource for proofreading that grant application. A good board member will help you write the grant, make an introduction to funders, or write a personal narrative about why they are so passionate about the work that your organization does.

Does this make sense-can you see the difference? In really simple terms, an advisory board member will give their opinion, share their experience, and give you feedback. A board member will do all of those things, and then actively engage in making it, whatever IT is, happen. There is a reason why, as one of my favorite nonprofit consultants Joan Garry talks about, board membership is a JOB. It requires commitment, time, and engagement. Most of all it requires accountability and ownership of making things happen, of holding one’s self responsible for being part of the work. An advisor comes to the party and maybe even invites their friends. A board member does both of those things for sure. But a board member may have also offered to organize that party, showed up early to set up, and maybe even stayed after to help clean up.

Do yourself a favor, and find those people who will stay after all the guests have gone, and help clean up. Better yet, find those people who will organize that party for you!