Why Joining a Local Board Might Be the Best Thing You’ll Ever Do (and Not Just for Them)
Let’s be honest — when most people hear the words “nonprofit board”, their minds jump straight to suits, spreadsheets, and serious faces around a big city table. Maybe you even picture the same five names who seem to end up on every board in the district.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be loaded, retired, or wearing a fancy watch to join a board. You just need to care — and be willing to turn up.
Recently, someone said to me, “I’d love to help out somewhere, but I’m not really the board type.” Whatever that means.
If you can listen, ask good questions, and genuinely want to make your town a bit better than it was yesterday — congratulations, you’re the board type.
Let’s bust a few myths.
You don’t have to be wealthy. You don’t have to be a lawyer, or know the difference between a balance sheet and a bedsheet (though you’ll probably pick it up). And you don’t have to be friends with the mayor. Boards need people who bring life experience, enthusiasm, and the occasional batch of home baking for those long meetings.
Now, why should you join one? Here are ten good reasons — all about you.
You’ll learn patience. People don’t always agree. You’ll sit through a few tangents about carparks or coffee funds, and realise that democracy can be messy — but worth it.
You’ll learn to ask for help. Whether it’s funding, volunteers, or raffle prizes, you’ll find your voice and your confidence.
It looks good on your CV. Sure, that’s selfish. But we all have room for a bit of self-improvement.
You’ll meet good people. People who care enough to get involved. That’s a great crowd to be part of.
You’ll learn to play nicely. Board work is team work. You can’t just do it your way — which can be surprisingly refreshing.
You’ll get better with numbers. Even if finances make your eyes glaze over, you’ll soon spot what matters.
You’ll have an excuse to skip the gym once a month. (You’re welcome.)
You’ll learn how to run a meeting — with volunteers, not employees. That’s a skill.
You’ll stretch yourself. Mentally, emotionally, sometimes even physically (those open days and e-waste drives aren’t going to run themselves).
You’ll fall in love with your town all over again. Seeing what’s really going on — the effort, the care, the impact — it makes you proud to live here.
If you’ve ever thought about joining a board — for the school, the arts group, the sports club or better still the RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRE — give it a go. It’s not glamorous, and sometimes you’ll wonder why you said yes. But it’s real, it’s needed, and it just might change the way you see your community — and yourself.
Tracey Bell
Chair - Mercury Bay Resource Recovery Centre Trust
