ACROSS THE BOARD

BOARDMANSHIP... Motivations for becoming a board member ... for those citizens contemplating serving on a park or forest preserve board By Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE IAPD Executive Director and Managing Editor

People join park, recreation or forest preserve boards for a variety of reasons. Many individuals have a desire to serve their community for improving conditions and contributing to community welfare. Others derive satisfaction from having a sense of power through board service. For some, serving on a board is a welcome change from their occupations, a new experience, and an opportunity to make new friends.

Some individuals join a park, recreation or conservation board solely for social status, to please a friend, or because it has been a family tradition. Some join as a stepping stone for other political offices; others make useful business and social contacts. However, most individuals become park, recreation or conservation board members because of a sense of civic duty, They want to promote wellness, the quality of life and the preservation of our natural resources and open spaces.

Although there is no simple or magic formula to guarantee the success of a citizen policy-making board, there are several significant questions and concerns that potential board members should address. How much time does it take to serve on the board? How much reading, researching and speaking will be required? Will board members have to incur any personal expense, and is that expense tax deductible? Or, are board members reimbursed for their direct expenses? Will board members be required to be away from home overnight, or travel to frequent evening meetings? Will board members be required to solicit contributions? Will they be personally involved in fund-raising drives? Are board members expected to do any writing or public speaking? Are board members expected to lobby for the agency?

What kinds of people are needed to serve on park and recreation boards?

There are basic qualifications that individuals should possess to serve on park, recreation and conservation boards. Representation — occupation, ethnic group, geographical area, and background — is helpful in the selection process, but it's not the only criterion to consider.

The most important qualification is the "right attitude." Knowledge and interest are certainly helpful, but a board member with a negative attitude can be destructive. A board member must have a sincere interest and a commitment to the importance of parks, recreation and conservation services. It's essential that a board member places the larger interests of the agency above personal concerns. Perhaps a board member's interest is in golf, little league or the theatre. At best, that member will serve as an effective intermediary between the agency and any special group he or she represents. However, special interests and politics must be set aside when board decisions are made that affect what's best for the agency and the community.

Other qualifications of board members focus around their:

• belief and interest in the agency's purposes, goals and objectives;

• willingness to give time and energy to learn and carry out board duties;

• willingness to make personal sacrifices such as time away from family and work;

• ability to develop tact and to work with others;

• respect for varied opinions, points of view and backgrounds;

• ability to inspire the community's confidence, respect and support;

• acceptance of board decisions;

• ability to participate in discussions with demonstrated reasoning, good judgment, and the courage of personal convictions;

• support the Chief Executive in his or her role of managing the agency.

Other possible areas to discuss with potential board members include their:

• involvement in local civic and trade groups or clubs;

• effectiveness in those groups;

• views about partisan politics in the agency's operation;

• special interests;

• attitudes toward other board members, especially those with different points of view; and

• overall attitude toward the agency and its personnel (trust vs. distrust).

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 March/April 1991