Your checklist, not a generic one
Write the steps your board actually expects of a new director: read the bylaws, meet the executive director, tour a program site, sign the conflict of interest policy, attend a committee meeting as an observer. Keep several templates if different roles need different starts.
- Checklist items you write and order yourself
- Multiple templates, so a committee volunteer and a new director can differ
Progress you can see without asking
Each member's checklist shows what is done and what is outstanding, with completion dates. The question 'has our new treasurer actually been through orientation?' has an answer you can look up rather than a conversation you have to start.
- Per-member view of completed and outstanding items
- Completion dates recorded on each item
- Notes on an item when something needs explaining
Members complete it themselves
New directors work through their checklist in the member portal — a link, no password, no account to create. Nobody has to be walked through a signup flow during their first month on a board.
Common questions
Do board members need to create an account?
No. Members reach their onboarding checklist through a private link. There is no password to set and no account to manage.
Can different members have different checklists?
Yes. Keep as many templates as you need and assign whichever fits the role someone is stepping into.
Which plan includes onboarding checklists?
Onboarding checklists are part of the Engage plan at $19 per month. Member records, terms, committees, and the recruitment pipeline are free on the Starter plan.
Related reading
Onboarding New Board Members the Right Way
A practical guide to the first 90 days: what to share, what to explain, and how to help new board members show up ready to contribute.
Nonprofit Board Member Orientation Checklist
Everything a new nonprofit board member should receive, read, and understand before their first meeting, and how to structure an orientation that actually prepares them to govern.
Nonprofit Board Member Job Description Template
A template and guide for writing a nonprofit board member job description that sets clear expectations, helps recruit the right candidates, and gives prospective members a realistic picture of the role.