“I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God” (St. Domenic Savio).

As Catholic Christians in the workforce, we have a special calling to use our gifts and talents to glorify God and help our neighbors. How can we intertwine our work with our God-given abilities to bring the Lord into the workplace? One way is by joining a nonprofit or corporate board. Serving on a board not only gives you great experience to include on your resume, but it also helps you make a difference in the lives of others and share your talents to glorify God.

But how do you join a board? How do you know which board you should join or which organizations even have a board and are searching for new members? Joining a board begins with examining your interests, talents, and capabilities. Then, it’s time to search for organizations with similar values and a need for your talents.

Explore Your Talents and Interests

What are you passionate about? When exploring which board you may want to join, it’s important to find an organization that aligns with your values, interests, and goals. For example, if you're interested in education, looking for a nonprofit or corporation that helps with inner-city school programs might be a good fit for you.

What are you good at? What professional or personal experience do you have that could be useful for a nonprofit or corporate board? For example, if you work in an administrative role, joining a board that needs assistance with a strategic plan or leadership shift might be a good place for you to explore.

Before joining a board or reaching out to an organization, take some time to reflect on your personal passions, interests, and skills to understand the benefit you bring to the table and determine if you would be interested in joining the organization in this capacity. Joining a corporate or nonprofit board requires hard work and, sometimes, a lot of volunteer hours, so you want to be certain that you are interested in the position you’re seeking.

Reach out to Your Network

Before contacting a board to inquire about joining, reach out to individuals in your network who may currently serve on boards or work for organizations that have a board. Resources like LinkedIn make it easy to see individuals and friends in your network who have similar interests or who currently serve on boards that appeal to you.

Researching local nonprofits and organizations is also helpful in seeing which kinds of organizations would be a good fit. Provide some examples of organizations you are interested in when connecting with people in your network. They may also have connections to those organizations they can share with you.

Another great resource to use in your search is former supervisors or mentors. More experienced professionals may currently or may have previously served on a board you are interested in. They can share your name with the board and help you join or get more information.

A frequently-forgotten organization that is always in desperate need of volunteers is the parish. Every parish has a finance council and parish council, which are composed of parishioners with leadership, financial, and business gifts that help the parish grow and stay organized. As a businesswoman, your experiences and skills could be beneficial in your own church community.

Contact Local Organizations

Now that you’ve reflected on your personal skills and interests, researched organizations in your area that align with these skills, and contacted members of your circle with board experience, it’s time to start reaching out to local businesses and nonprofits.

Using the contact information provided from your network, or simply by contacting the business through email or phone numbers found on its website, reach out to these connections and express your interest in serving on their board.

Introduce yourself and what makes you interested in serving on their board. It’s also helpful to share your talents and background. Maybe you have experience in fundraising for nonprofits or you work in a similar sector. Exchange contact information, and inquire about specific expectations they may have for board members. Are there fundraising expectations? Do you need to serve for a certain number of years? How often and when does the board meet? Can you sit in on a board meeting prior to being voted on or joining the board to make sure it’s a good fit?

Once you’ve gathered all the information you need, you can make a decision! Joining a board is not a lighthearted decision, so make sure it is something you’re truly interested in, have prayed about, and feel would be a good fit for you and your personal goals.

Don’t Give up!

Joining a board is not always an easy task, and you may not be accepted into the first organization you talk to. That’s OK! Keep trying and researching to find a board that aligns with your values.

It is a beautiful experience to use your God-given gifts and charisms in an organization outside of your own comfort zone. Imagine using your particular gifts and talents to help someone directly impacted by the nonprofit or business you serve.

Even if the board you serve on is not religious, you can still bring your values and love for the Lord to the table. No matter how small your role is, you can make a tremendous impact, bringing Christ’s light to a new corner of the world.

Marisa McDonald lives in Central Indiana with her husband and energetic German Shepherd pup. She is the Development Coordinator for a Catholic campus ministry program and hopes to start her own social enterprise or non-profit some day. On weekends, you can find her hiking with her husband and dog throughout Southern Indiana, making meals and hosting family and friends, or heading to the local coffee shop for a latte. Connect with Marisa through Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.