Once you are on the board of a club or organization there are a few things you need to know. First choose your battles or crusades that you are willing to take up or champion. Ask yourself, in the face of opposition, are you proposing this as a nice thing that we as a club or organization aught to do or is there a request that we do this? Has a board member been unduly harsh in speaking with a member or continuing member, even though they may have spoken the truth? Is there any way you can smooth things over and keep that member a part of the club? In other words could you be a go between and keep that member a part of the club by you speaking with the individual, even though it is not your particular job or auspice? If so, by all means do it and if the board member gets offended, tough. If it gets the job done, do it.

Secondly, if you are going to propose a solution to a problem or potential problem don’t just bring it up a fresh at the board meeting. Take the time to call each board member individually to tell them that you are going to bring this question up and to get their thinking caps on. Chances are that they have an idea(s) of possible solutions. Jot these down letting them know you are still going to bring it up perhaps to discuss the implementation of their idea. As you continue calling and continue to write down the ideas, don’t make the mistake of telling what the others had said. This is not a gossip session. Good intentions do not count when you start talking about others. Just continue to let them know that you will bring them up for ideas of implementation at the board meeting.

Listening and being attentive to the needs and feelings of others are imperative when you are dealing with a group of people who need to work together for a common goal or solution. Make sure that you contribute immensely to that goal or solution and are not a part of the problem.