Note: This post is from Train Your Board partner Bob Osborne. Thanks, Bob!

Joining a nonprofit board can be exciting … and a little overwhelming. New trustees are stepping into a world of unfamiliar people, names, expectations, jargon, responsibilities, and organizational culture.

Do you want to set them up for success? Give them a mentor – or, as some boards prefer to say, a board buddy. The buddy system helps new members:

• Feel welcome and connected to the team.
• Understand how the board works and what’s expected of them.
• Learn about the organization, its programs, and the people it serves.
• Discover how they can contribute most meaningfully.

How does this work?

The relationship doesn’t need to be complicated.

A buddy might meet the new board member for coffee before their first meeting, introduce them to others, check in afterward to answer questions, and join them for a site visit or fundraising event.

These periodic check-ins build confidence, deepen engagement, and turn a new recruit into a true ambassador for the mission. Ideally, your organization has a year-long orientation program to support your “buddy pairs” of continuing and new board members.

Translating board culture and relationships

As with any group, what happens around the board table reflects the complexity of human relationships and power dynamics. Who speaks first and who holds back? Which opinions carry more weight? Who works to build consensus? Who prefers to delay decision-making … and why?

Sadly, your bylaws or board agreements don’t really address the interpersonal aspects of board service. As a new member, your mentor/buddy can help you unpack the subtext of what’s being said … and not said.

Andy shared an instructive story with me. A client once told him, “When our board meets, all the important conversations happen out in the parking lot after the meeting is over.” This is the dictionary definition of dysfunction.

Now imagine that you’re a new board member trying to navigate this messiness. Rather than figuring it out on your own, you can rely on your board buddy to provide necessary context and answer your questions.

Matchmaker, matchmaker

When pairing new board members with continuing members, consider the following criteria:

• Time availability and responsiveness.
• Personalities.
• Listening skills (you want mentors who listen deeply and don’t make speeches).
• Any inherent power dynamics around gender, race, or social class.

Don’t overthink this; you’re not matching life partners, roommates, or best friends. An imperfect match is better than asking new board members to figure it out on their own.

Even better, the process demonstrates intentionality and commitment: “We want you to succeed on our board. Here’s a relationship to support your success.”

Don’t sweat the language

Whether you call it a mentor, sponsor, or buddy system, the goal is the same. Help every new trustee feel like they belong – and watch your board thrive.