Bermuda’s non-profit sector is the backbone of our community, addressing critical challenges in mental health, environmental conservation, youth services and beyond. Despite their invaluable contributions, many of these organisations face a similar challenge — difficulty recruiting board members with the diverse skills and experience necessary for effective governance. This gap in governance jeopardises the sustainability and impact of Bermuda’s non-profits, potentially limiting their ability to fully serve the community.

Non-profit boards are essential; they shape an organisation’s strategic direction, safeguard financial health and ensure mission success. Strong, well-rounded boards provide oversight, guidance and support, helping non-profits to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. In many cases, non-profit boards are a “collective compass”, steering organisations towards their mission while ensuring financial stability and public accountability.

For Bermuda’s smaller non-profit — often without paid staff to handle marketing, communications, human resources, compliance or IT — board members play a crucial role in building these operational capacities, without which growth can be stunted.

In the early stages of a non-profit’s development, boards are often populated by friends and family of founders, providing a lifeline to get these organisations off the ground. This is crucial, as these early board members are often deeply committed and involved in day-to-day operations. However, as non-profits grow and evolve, and boards transition to a focus on governance and strategy, they must recruit individuals with specialised expertise in finance, legal compliance, human resources, technology, marketing and more. Additionally, boards benefit from members who can leverage relationships to support fundraising goals.

When these skills are absent, non-profits struggle to meet their goals, no matter how dedicated their staff may be. Strong boards enable non-profits to operate with resilience, make sound decisions and plan strategically for the future. Unfortunately, many of Bermuda’s non-profits face challenges in recruiting diverse board members with the wide range of these critical skills.

Joining a non-profit board is more than an act of service; it is a unique partnership in leadership and impact. Board members directly influence a non-profit’s effectiveness, improving the lives of those it serves. Serving on a board is also a way to volunteer using your skills, offering personal growth, networking and the fulfilment of contributing to a meaningful mission.

Bermuda’s non-profits need skilled and dedicated leaders who can actively engage in discussions, bring insight to strategic decisions, and offer governance expertise. We encourage Bermuda’s community to consider this rewarding path. Serving on a non-profit board can be one of the most effective ways to give back, while providing personal and professional growth.

If you have expertise to share and a desire to see Bermuda thrive, think about joining a board. Your knowledge, commitment and perspective could be precisely what Bermuda’s non-profits need to continue their essential work.

To support this effort, the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda has launched a Non-Profit Board of Directors Recruitment Initiative, connecting skilled individuals with non-profits in need of expertise. This initiative invites community members to explore non-profit board service as a meaningful way to contribute to Bermuda’s non-profit sector, and includes complementary training on non-profit governance best practices.

December 5 marked International Volunteer Day, but it is not too late. In extended celebration, we invite you to consider how you can get involved and volunteer your talent. For more information on how to get involved, e-mail admin@nonprofitalliance.bm and discover how your skills can make a lasting impact.

• Nicola Paugh PhD is executive director of the Non-profit Alliance of Bermuda, registered charity No 979