What kind of organizations does TOC match trustees with?

TOC matches trustees with many different kinds of nonprofit agencies. These agencies cover a broad spectrum of community service, ranging from the environment, education and the arts to children’s and women’s services, and include organizations such as the Food Bank of Delaware, Delaware Center for Contemporary Art and Delaware Nature Society. Any nonprofit agency in Delaware and the surrounding area that is interested in enhancing diversity on its board is welcome to join TOC and use our matching and education network to find new, interested, professional and diverse board members.

What will be expected of me as a board member?

As a board member, you will be expected to provide professional expertise and leadership advice drawing from your work and community experience. Most trustees are asked to serve on at least one committee of the board, although this will vary from organization to organization. You will be expected to attend board meetings, provide input and help promote the organization. Board members are also expected to support the organization by making annual donations at a leadership level. This is an important question to ask the organization that you are interested in being involved with before you make your final commitment to them.

How much time will be required of me?

This will depend on the nonprofit organization on whose board you serve. Each organization has different expectations of its board members. At the very least you will be expected to attend most or all board meetings. The frequency of these meetings will vary between organizations.  This is another important question to ask the organization that you are interested in being involved with before you make your final commitment to them.

What is expected of the nonprofit members?

Nonprofit members are expected to be inclusive of all board members and value and respect their contributions and participation. The organization should provide prospective trustees with their expectations to help ensure that the match is mutually agreeable and successful.

What benefits do I get for joining TOC?

As a TOC member, you will have access to the only online data base of available board and committee positions with nonprofit agencies in Delaware and the surrounding area. It provides you with an exceptional opportunity to become involved in your community, enabling you to use your passions, interests and skills to help fulfill the needs of nonprofits that interest you. Through the TOC website, you will be notified of statewide board opportunities and have the ability to choose which organizations you’re interested in becoming involved with. TOC members receive training through online education modules, covering areas such as governance and director accountability, finance, legal issues, ethics, mission and vision, and strategic planning.  Members can access the online training modules at any time, allowing them to stop and resume a module at a later time or go back and review a particular area later. There are also in-person networking and training events that cover fundraising, intercultural communications and team building,

A major benefit for trustees is the opportunity to build relationships with other professional and community-oriented individuals. TOC members provide a valuable network and support group for young professional people of color. Mentors are available to help and coach trustees.  The relationships that you build as a nonprofit board member will enable you to make life and business connections that will help nurture your role as a future community leader.

What benefits do the nonprofits get for joining TOC?

As a member of TOC, nonprofit organizations receive assistance with the recruitment of diverse board and committee members. TOC will develop a description of the open board positions based on the specific organizational needs provided by the nonprofit member. The listing will be posted on the website, giving the nonprofit member access to a large pool of well-prepared TOC members. The nonprofit will be able to communicate directly with the potential board or committee members.  Nonprofit members can participate in statewide TOC diversity events.  TOC also provides nonprofit members with a self-assessment tool for inclusiveness and support for training if desired. Nonprofit members are viewed as organizations that value diversity and may be eligible for community recognition as a diversity leader.

How does TOC do the matches?

TOC uses an online matching system that was developed specifically for our members. Nonprofit members post their openings and trustee members can view them and choose those that interest them. The nonprofit and trustee communicate directly. TOC does not assign trustees to an organization. We will, however, provide follow-up to all matches and if necessary, provide support to either the trustee or organization to ensure that the matches are a success.

What happens if the match doesn’t work?

TOC will make every effort to ensure that both the trustee and the nonprofit are satisfied with the final outcome. Mentors are available to assist and support trustees if they need and want it. TOC hopes that all board members fulfill their initial obligation to a board. If either the trustee or nonprofit is not happy with the relationship, it may be in the best interest of both for the board member to step down and look for a better fit with another organization. However, that decision belongs exclusively to the trustee and the board.

How many matches has TOC already completed?

As of November 2009, TOC has matched 74 trustees with 25 different nonprofit boards in Delaware. The feedback from the nonprofit organizations that TOC has worked with has been overwhelmingly positive. They all agree that TOC has had a positive effect on making their boards more diverse, helping them carry out their mission and goals in the community.

Once I’ve been successfully matched with a nonprofit board, why should I continue my membership in TOC?

In addition to matching trustees with nonprofit organizations, TOC provides a valuable professional networking opportunity for people of color. Our members come from a wide range of professions and backgrounds, providing a unique networking venue not found in most professional organizations. Also our members share a common interest in helping nonprofits enhance their community service through diverse boards.

TOC members will have ongoing access to all education modules for review and can participate in new ones as they are added. Hopefully, as members progress in their careers, they will take the opportunity to serve as mentors to new members.

What are TOC’s goals for 2010?

TOC has several goals for 2010:

• Encourage nonprofit organizations to achieve at least a 25 percent diversity level on their boards.
• Expand the program statewide.
• Move towards making the program self-sustaining.
• Enhance the training and mentoring programs.