The following article is excerpted from a forthcoming book
authored by IAPD Executive Director Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE.

BOARDMANSHIP... The Board Member Nobody Wants By Dr. Ted Flickinger, CAE IAPD Executive Director and Managing Editor

Occasionally, I will hear horror stories of a board member some community was unfortunate to receive. This is an individual who wants to cause friction and does not care to promote a mutual relationship between the board and executive or between fellow board members. The person could be the dominating type of board member who wants to run the show—the board, the staff, the agency. He or she is the neurotic that Karen Homey described in her book, Our Inner Conflicts: "He moves against people ... his primary need becomes one of control over others ... he needs to excel, to achieve success, prestige or recognition in any form ... He rebels in whatever ways are open to him ... He wants to be stronger and defeat them (people)." This kind of board member requires extreme patience on behalf of fellow members and the chief executive officer. It is imperative that the chairperson, with assistance from fellow board members, makes every attempt to show the board member that his or her actions are self serving and disruptive.

What Kind of People Are We Looking for to Serve on Park and Recreation Boards!

There are basic qualifications that individuals should possess to serve on park and recreation boards. Essential qualifications of board members, or lack of them, can make or break a park and recreation agency.

Therefore, I believe the most important qualification of a board member is the "right attitude." Knowledge and interest are certainly important, but a board member with a negative attitude can be destructive. It is absolutely essential that the board member place the larger interest of the park and recreation agency above personal concerns. Perhaps the board member's interest is in golf, little league or the theater. At best, the board member will serve as an effective intermediary between the agency and any special group he or she represents. But special interest must be set aside when board decisions are made that effect "what is best for the agency and the community we serve."

Factors to Consider in Selecting Board Members

In addition to the above, there are other factors to consider when selecting or encouraging people to serve on a park and recreation board. Concerns include: diverse occupations, geographical areas, and various backgrounds. The person must have a belief and interest in the agency's purpose, goals and objectives. He or she should be willing to give of time and energy to learn and carry out board duties and responsibilities. A board member should possess a willingness to work with others and respect various opinions and points of view. They should also have an appreciation for people with different backgrounds and readily accept board decisions even when they differ from their own views. Some of the questions you may ask of potential board members are: Has the individual been involved in local civic, business, trade groups or clubs? How effective was the person in these groups? Would his or her attitude toward other board members be positive? Would the person be tolerant of different points of view? Is the individual distrustful of the agency or its personnel? Does the person really believe in and trust people, or is he or she constantly suspicious of motives and conduct? Does the individual want to involve partisan politics in the agency operations? Does he or she have an axe to grind? Is the person too focused to special interests?