Tactics for Bringing on High-Quality Staff and Board Members
- Tom Iselin
- May 30, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Bringing on High-Quality Staff and Board Members
Today, we dive deeper into the tactics you can use to bring on AND retain those high-quality board members, staff, and volunteers who truly move the mission forward.
THE NONPROFIT WORLD IS A HUMAN ENDEAVOR
At its core, the nonprofit world is fundamentally a human endeavor.
You only have:
staff
board members
volunteers
That’s it.Those are the people who:
run your programs
raise your money
deliver your services
create your impact
Without PEOPLE—without human capital—nothing happens.
So yes, everything starts with people.And the higher the quality of these people, the greater your chances of fulfilling your mission efficiently and effectively.
TACTICALLY, HOW DO YOU BRING ON HIGH-QUALITY PEOPLE?
Let’s get practical.
If you want to bring on and retain the best staff, volunteers, and board members, you must begin with a firm commitmentto do so.Make this part of your culture.
Your team should be fully aligned with this standard:
Find and retain A-players. No sloths. No deadweights.
And then you need two things:
Filters
Clear expectations
Let’s break it down by group.
BRINGING ON HIGH-QUALITY STAFF
Start with detailed job descriptions.Clarity creates accountability.
Next, build a thorough, observation-based interviewing process.Don’t rely on words alone—watch people work.
Here’s a powerful tactic:
Narrow down to your top 2–3 candidates
Bring each in for a couple of days
Put them to work
Observe their performance
Watch how they interact with others
Yes, pay them.Yes, it’s worth it.
After two days, the winner rises to the top. Every time.
During this process, ask:
“How would this person fit our work culture?”
“What drives them?”
“Do they match our work ethic?”
“Would they strengthen or dilute our culture?”
Culture fit matters.
BRINGING ON HIGH-QUALITY BOARD MEMBERS
The filters and expectations process works the same way—but with board members, the conversation must be even more specific.
Talk openly and clearly about:
fundraising expectations (how much?)
attendance requirements
hosting responsibilities
project roles
committee duties
Be crystal clear.Specific.Direct.
Otherwise, you’ll hear the dreaded line later:“I didn’t sign up for this!”
And once again—culture matters.When nominating someone, ask:
“How will this person fit into our board culture?”
“Are they hardworking?”
“Are they stubborn?”
“Are they genuinely passionate about the mission?”
The more unified and cohesive your board is, the more effective they will be—and the less drama you’ll have to babysit.
BRINGING ON HIGH-QUALITY VOLUNTEERS
The process mirrors bringing on high-quality staff.
One of the BEST filters for volunteers is to create a volunteer handbook—a simple guide outlining:
expectations
responsibilities
standards of behavior
policies
job functions
There are great templates online.Pair the handbook with a solid orientation and training process led by a skilled volunteer or staff member.
And yes—volunteers must fit your volunteer culture.Happy, unified volunteers can do the “un-imaginable” for your organization.
BE PATIENT — QUALITY TAKES TIME
You’re short on resources. You’re busy. You don’t have time for emotional drain, drama queens, or deadweights.
It takes extra time upfront to recruit high-quality people…but it saves hundreds of hours later.
Be patient. Filter well.Set expectations clearly.
If you do these things, you will find people who are both competent AND committed.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Nonprofits are powered entirely by people—quality matters.• Recruit with intention: create filters and set clear expectations.• Use observation-based hiring for staff to identify true A-players.• Be specific—VERY specific—when onboarding board members.• Build a volunteer handbook to clearly define expectations.• Culture fit is essential across all three groups.• Patience pays off: quality people reduce drama and increase performance. Remember: Bring on and retain high quality board and staff members.
SUMMARY
Day 3 of Boot Camp provided the tactics you need to bring on high-quality staff, volunteers, and board members. A-players transform the efficiency, effectiveness, and morale of your nonprofit—but only if you filter well, set expectations early, and ensure every person fits your culture. High-quality organizations begin with high-quality people.
Tom Iselin
“One of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators”
Additional Resources:
Articles
Tom's Books, Podcasts, and YouTube Channel
About the Author
Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.
Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.
Board Retreats & Strategic Planning
If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!
Board Retreats and Strategic Planning Services:
858.888.2278
