I'm rolling off the Apra Michigan board this year, and I can’t believe how quickly these six years have gone. Board service has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career in prospect development. I've grown as a leader, built a network of people I now call friends and picked up skills I never would have gained sitting at my own desk. And my experience aligns with what I most often hear from others: Despite the overwhelming net positives, many Apra Chapters have struggled to fill their board pipeline. 

In talking one-on-one with potential board members over the years – across all kinds of boards, not just Apra Michigan – I've noticed the same hesitations to serve come up again and again. People assume they need decades of experience, an advanced degree or a title they don't yet have. Once they hear that isn't the case, the conversation usually changes. A little bit of imposter syndrome and a little bit of not knowing what the role requires seem to be the real barriers, not a lack of qualified people. Other Apra members agreed, so we decided to ask current and former chapter board members directly about their own experience. To be clear, not every chapter runs into this struggle, nor all the time. But enough of us do that it felt worth exploring. Here is what seasoned Apra Chapter board members told us. 

What They Thought the Requirements Were Versus What They Actually Were 

Almost every response to this question followed the same arc. Board members expected a high bar, something like years in the field, a leadership title or prior board experience, and found the real requirements to be far more modest. One respondent admitted,  

"I would have thought you needed at least ten years in the field and lots of experience volunteering! But I was invited to join after six years in the field and only a presentation or two under my belt." 

Another put it simply:  

"[What I thought was the] Minimum: Extensive experience in PD or a leadership role in my organization. Reality: enthusiasm and time to offer." 

Time and again, chapter leaders said the actual requirements came down to willingness, reliability and a bit of curiosity, not a résumé full of accomplishments. That gap between assumption and reality is worth sitting with. If the people already serving expected a much higher bar than what was actually asked of them, it's likely that qualified candidates outside the board are making the same overestimations, and ruling themselves out before anyone even asks.  

The Myth They Believed Before Joining 

We also asked what myth about chapter leadership board members believed before they joined. The answer was almost unanimous: that everyone else on the board was already an expert. As one person wrote,  

"You don't have to be the best or most experienced prospect researcher to do it. It's more helpful to be good with people and with organization and planning." 

Another described believing chapter leaders were "snobby and stuffy" before joining, only to find the opposite once they got involved. 

Once again, that gap between perception and reality shows up in these responses. The story people tell themselves about who belongs on a board rarely matches what the board needs and closing that gap might be as simple as saying so out loud to socialize the reality rather than the perception. 

What They'd Tell Their Pre-Board Selves 

When asked what they'd say to themselves back when they were hesitant about being considered for the board, responses were warm and, honestly, a little emphatic.  

"Just join. A lot of people think they don't have time to devote to board service, but it ends up benefitting everyone. There is a place for everyone who wants to serve on a board." 

Another offered a gentler version of the same message:  

"It is as much about what you will gain as what you will give to the board. I have learned and gained so much more since joining, and that in turn makes me a more valuable board member." 

What stands out in these responses is how rarely anyone said they regretted joining. Nearly every board member who answered this question circled back to the same idea: that the version of themselves who was hesitating had more to offer than they realized. 

The Skills You Won't Find on a Résumé 

Board members were quick to name the skills that mattered most once they were in their roles, and few of them are the kind you'd list on a job application. Patience came up often, along with the ability to work with a wide range of personalities. One respondent summed it up with a laugh:  

"Patience (dealing with other volunteers is like herding cats). Sense of humor." 

Others pointed to adaptability, active listening and the willingness to pitch in wherever help is needed. As one board member put it,  

"Don't be afraid to share and to let others shine as well. Sometimes, they will surprise you." 

Several respondents noted that these same skills - patience, communication and the willingness to step outside a defined role - carried back to their day jobs. Board service turned into a relatively low-stakes place to practice leadership before having to use it in a higher-pressure setting at work. 

Do You Really Have Time? 

Time is the concern that comes up most often when people consider board service, so we asked about this directly. The answers were reassuring and remarkably consistent. Estimates ranged from 30 minutes to a few hours a month for most roles, with the workload shifting depending on the position and the season. One respondent explained,  

"Different committees have different time commitments. Some are always a little busy. Some are busy at one time of year. Some don't take quite as much time." 

Another simply said,  

"It's as much as you want, ultimately." 

The recurring theme was also flexibility. Board work tends to expand or contract based on what a member can give, and most chapters are glad to work with that. A few respondents pointed out that chapters would rather adjust a role to fit someone's schedule than lose a willing volunteer altogether. If a board position looks too big from the outside, it's worth asking whether it could be broken into something smaller or shared with a peer. 

The Payoff 

Finally, we asked about the biggest personal or professional benefit of serving. The answers ranged from practical to deeply personal. One board member wrote,  

"I literally got my job directly from serving on the chapter board. Someone knew me and recommended me for my current position, which is a big step up from my previous role. I wouldn't have this job if I hadn't been a chapter board member." 

Another described the friendships that came out of the experience:  

"These people are friends and trusted associates, and they are always willing to be a sounding board, sanity check, source of information, etc." 

Across nearly every response, one thread held true. Board members got back more than they expected to give. That ROI in relationships, confidence and even career opportunities is hard to see from the outside looking in. This is cheesy to say, but it’s also exactly why so many respondents encouraged colleagues who are waiting to feel or to be more ready to stop waiting. 

Where to Go From Here 

If any of this sounds like the nudge you've been waiting for, reach out to your chapter board and ask what serving truly looks like. If you belong to more than one Apra Chapter, know that every board operates a little differently, so it's worth a conversation with each one you're part of. If you’re not a member of an Apra Chapter yet, today is the day to join! 

You don't need 20 years of experience or a title you haven't earned yet. You just need to be willing to show up. Your Chapter board would love to tell you more – find your local Apra Chapter here and explore what other Chapters have to offer as well. 

 

*Thank you to all of the current and former Apra Chapter board members who contributed responses to this article! Also, thank you to the Apra Chapters Committee who helped workshop these questions.