Kevin Rolle has worked on many Boards of Directors and considers it an excellent way to help out whilst you showcase your talent. One of the initial ways in is to volunteer on a board of a charitable organization and this will enable you to learn all of the skills required and also how they work in general. You will learn about Corporate Governance and you will also Network with people who are used to serving on these boards and who will have other contacts and be made aware when other positions become available elsewhere. If you have impressed them and shown that they are someone that they are happy to recommend, this could be the start of something very special for you.
It may not be easy to get accepted you will need to show them that your skills are in alignment with what they need. One thing they will always need is fundraising. So do some fundraising for them or another charity before you join, show what you can do and what you have done, and this will stand you in great stead of getting work with them. If you do get rejected don’t give up there, keep on trying you will get there in the end.
It would be best to work in a field that you care about, this will give you the motivation to go and find out all of you can. Study the minutes, agendas and documents that you will be sent and come up with some ideas and suggestions of your own. Don’t be too loud or pushy you are mainly there to learn from the experts.
If your best tack is to be their chief and top fund raiser it will certainly get you noticed; go out of your way and use your own time to organize a yard sale, a cake sale anything to bring them funds, the more the better. The more innovative the idea the more impressed they will be, think out of the box and remember that you have youth and vibrancy on your side.
It is also beneficial to learn about Corporate Governance as you go. Research it and read about it. If it is something that you have a full understanding of you can begin to add value and you will be noticed and recommended elsewhere.
As we have said you will be expanding your professional network, by building professional relationships. Try to stay in contact with them and see if any are willing to mentor you to future success.
There will be a lot of chief executives on the board and if they take a liking to you this could set you up for life. Even though it is voluntary you should act professional at all times. Be alert and enthusiastic, take lots of notes and keep them safe. See them if you have any queries or ideas, let them know that you are taking the role seriously, that you are working and putting your own time into making your work successful. Keep at it and you will impress them and who knows where this may lead for you.
