CORPORATE WORLD Service on nonprofit boards reaps various rewards

Serving on a nonprofit board can boost a career.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Barbara L. Bowles has a sterling r & eacute;sum & eacute;. A master's in business administration from the University of Chicago. Jobs at Kraft Foods Inc. and First National Bank of Chicago, now Bank One Corp. Founder of an investment firm.
With those credentials, it's easy to overlook a couple of other items on her r & eacute;sum & eacute;: her long involvement on the boards of the Chicago Urban League and Children's Memorial Hospital. It's her way of giving back to the community where she has lived for more than 30 years.
Her nonprofit work also has had unintended benefits. Her volunteer experience helped her gain invitations to serve on corporate boards, such as Black & amp; Decker Corp.
"I do believe one can advance a career by serving on nonprofit boards," said Bowles, chairman and chief executive of the Kenwood Group, a minority-owned investment firm in Chicago. "I'm an excellent example."
Some benefits
As Bowles shows, the workplace isn't the only place to build leadership and management skills. Serving on nonprofit boards can be personally fulfilling and career-enhancing at the same time. One of the biggest professional benefits is the chance to rub elbows with other business people outside one's industry.
"A lot of movers and shakers are part of these boards," said Adela Cepeda, president of her own financial advisory firm who sits on the boards of the Ravinia Festival Association and the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, among others. "You can develop your network much faster."
Beyond networking, board members learn how to run an organization, build coalitions and perfect the fine art of persuasion, because many boards have fund-raising requirements for their members.
In some instances, the experience can be a steppingstone to corporate boards.
Executive recruiters say nonprofit experience enhances a board candidate's credentials. However, they add, in today's post-Enron climate, corporations are looking for directors with broad financial expertise that may not be gained by serving on a nonprofit board.
Time-consuming
Bowles, Cepeda and other board members also caution that people should not volunteer for boards just to get ahead in business.
"These commitments keep you very busy so you have to enjoy the organization you're getting involved with," Cepeda said. "You can't just do this for career advancement."
Still, liking art and joining the board of the Art Institute of Chicago are two separate things. Most of the prominent civic and cultural institutions in the Chicago area reserve board memberships for corporate executives and other wealthy individuals who have the ability to give and raise money.
But there are a number of smaller nonprofits seeking people with business expertise and the energy to volunteer, said Merle Tresser, vice president of the University of Chicago Women's Business Group.
For the last two years, this alumni group has organized a luncheon for nonprofits and members interested in community service. Last year, more than 60 organizations attended, indicating a strong need for board directors, Tresser said.
"It's easy for the big dogs, where there is a social premium for serving on their boards," she said. "But it's a huge problem for lesser-known outfits."
Some of these organizations are in dire need of marketing and financial expertise, especially in these tough economic times. For instance, Bowles, a chartered financial analyst, helps Children's Memorial Hospital manage its money by serving on its investment committee.
One board member suggests that business people who are passionate about a particular issue, such as the environment or education, should not be afraid to approach organizations and offer their expertise.