New board member orientation checklist
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New board member orientation: [NEW MEMBER NAME]

Organization: [ORGANIZATION NAME]

Elected on: [DATE] Term ends: [DATE]

Orientation led by: [CHAIR OR SECRETARY NAME]

Board buddy: [BUDDY NAME]

Before the first meeting: documents to receive

- [ ] Mission statement and a one-page history of the organization
- [ ] Articles of incorporation (as filed with the state) and any amendments
- [ ] Bylaws, current version
- [ ] IRS determination letter (the letter confirming 501(c)(3) status)
- [ ] Most recent IRS Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-N confirmation
- [ ] Current year's budget and the latest financial report
- [ ] Most recent audit or review report, if there is one
- [ ] Minutes from the last [NUMBER] board meetings
- [ ] Conflict of interest policy and the annual disclosure form
- [ ] Other key policies: [WHISTLEBLOWER, DOCUMENT RETENTION, GIFT ACCEPTANCE, OTHERS]
- [ ] Summary of insurance coverage, including directors and officers (D&O) insurance, if held
- [ ] Board list with roles, committees and contact details
- [ ] Staff list or key volunteer contacts, with roles
- [ ] This year's board meeting calendar and the annual compliance calendar
- [ ] Board expectations: attendance, committee work, giving and fundraising, if any

First 30 days: meet and sign

- [ ] One-hour welcome conversation with the chair. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Meet the executive director or lead volunteer. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Meet the treasurer to walk through the budget and financial report. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Introduction to board buddy. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Sign and return the conflict of interest disclosure. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Sign any confidentiality or code of conduct statement your board uses. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Get access to the board's shared folder and email list. Date: [DATE]

First meeting

- [ ] Buddy sits with the new member, or calls before the meeting to go through the agenda. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Chair introduces the new member at the start of the meeting
- [ ] New member reads the papers in advance and brings at least one question
- [ ] Buddy checks in after the meeting: what was unclear?

Days 30 to 90: get involved

- [ ] Visit a program or event in person. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] Join a committee, or take on a first task: [TASK]. Due: [DATE]
- [ ] Read the last Form 990 and ask any questions about it
- [ ] Review the year's compliance calendar with the secretary or treasurer

Day 90 check-in

- [ ] Conversation with the chair. Date: [DATE]
- [ ] What's going well? [NOTES]
- [ ] What's unclear or missing? [NOTES]
- [ ] What did you wish you'd known on day one? [NOTES]

Completed: [CHAIR NAME] Date: [DATE]