Every co-op is run by a board of directors that makes key decisions and represents the co-op’s members, so getting the right mix around the table is key. 

Stats show, however, that boards often look similar. Many boards’ directors are older, white, and male, regardless of the makeup of their membership or community. And while these directors may do an excellent job, it’s likely they will miss out on different perspectives and solutions. And if a board doesn’t look like its co-op’s membership, it can give the impression that not all members’ viewpoints are valued or welcome.  

So, if you’re recruiting board members – whether your co-op is newly established or long-existing – here are some tips to help create the right mix of directors.  

1. Be intentional 

Before you begin, take the time to create a plan for recruiting board members. 

“Put some thought into doing a recruitment strategy,” our Director of Education, Kyle White, said in a recent webinar. “Put a little more thought into this and be a bit intentional with what you’re doing and how you’re dedicating your time.” 

It’s a good idea for the board to strike a nomination committee that can focus solely on board recruitment. This committee could be made up of both board and staff (if you choose) and should develop a terms of reference that outlines their role and targets for what the committee wants to achieve.  

Strike this committee early – well before you need to nominate people at your AGM. This gives the board time to determine what it needs in terms of members, and implement strategies to find and ask a good mix of people to put their names forward for election. Doing this in a rushed fashion at the last minute is unlikely to give you the best results.  

2. Seek balance and representation 

Many boards’ plans for recruitment consist of seeking out people with certain skills and backgrounds, such as lawyers, accountants, and human resources professionals. While having these types of professionals on your board can be an asset, there are other important attributes to consider in potential directors.  

Ideal board candidates – especially for a start-up co-op’s first board – can also be people who are well-connected, ideas-oriented, or have deep pockets and are willing to contribute. They might be professionals or local officials, or they might just be people who are patient, dedicated, and open-minded with the willingness to learn.  

A common truth, though, is that no matter what mix of skills it has, the board should also look like the community it represents. If your membership is made up of around 50% men and 50% women, the board should also be an even split. If the co-op consists of people of different races or diverse ages, your board should as well.  

“Does the board look like the community it serves?” Kyle said in the webinar. “Because in an ideal world, yes, it should…And if it’s not, is there something we can do around marketing to help promote participation in the co-operative’s governance? Can we reach out to different communities and help them understand what the co-op is, why it’s supporting them, and why their participation matters?” 

Prioritizing diversity is about more than just representation. Diverse boards are shown to perform better and make better decisions. So, if everyone around your board table has similar backgrounds and experiences, think about how you can meaningfully change that.  

3. Use a variety of tactics  

Don’t rely on just one tactic for building your board. Try a combination of things to reach people and let them know you’re looking for nominees, like: 

• Shoulder-tapping: if you’ve identified specific people you know who you think would be a good fit, reach out to them directly and ask them to put their name forward for election.  

• Advertising: be mindful and inclusive of how you advertise and promote board elections. If you’re looking to recruit more young people, the best place to advertise that fact probably isn’t in the local newspaper or community bulletin boards – it might be on social media platforms, or through local leaders and organizations who would pass the word along.  

• Offering remuneration: This isn’t an option for non-profit co-operatives, but if you’re a co-op business, consider offering a stipend for directors’ time. Young people and people from marginalized communities have a lot of demands on their time and finances, but if they can be compensated they may be more willing to sign up. Also, think about the length of terms on your board – busy people may be more willing to sign up for a two-year commitment than something three years or longer. 

 4. Recognize that you don’t have total control over who makes up the board – but you can influence it 

Though the committee will identify what the board needs, acknowledge that, at the end of the day, the decision is up to the members who vote at the annual meeting. But if you’ve done the legwork of finding good candidates, this shouldn’t be a problem.  

There are ways for a board to put their thumb on the scale – but Kyle says to be aware that these can be controversial: 

• Set criteria people must meet to be nominated, like a minimum amount they have to spend annually at the co-op. The co-op will have to adopt a bylaw that sets out the standard.   

• Create a robust nomination package for people to provide information to show they meet the co-op’s standards, which could involve things like interviews 

• Indicate which candidates the board recommends. Boards review nominations and let members know which ones they think are the best fit for helping the co-op meet its goals. 

If implementing any of these tactics, communication is key. Be open with your members about why you are taking these steps and why they are what you think is best for the co-op. Make sure you are open to the feedback you receive from your members as well.  

Need more help? 

If you’re assembling your co-op’s first board of directors, or strengthening an existing board, we have tons of resources to help. Check out our Introduction to Co-operatives or Good Governance Matters online courses, or browse through the “Up and Running” section of the Co-op Creator.