How to design successful orientation for new board members

Liz Thompson is Executive Assistant to the President, Corporate Secretary, and Corporate Compliance Officer at Presbyterian Senior Care Network. Chandu Vemuri is Executive Assistant for the Board and Superintendent Leadership at Sun Prairie School District in Wisconsin. Together, Liz and Chandu bring deep, hands‑on experience supporting nonprofit and public‑facing boards as they welcome new members into governance.In this conversation, we explore why thoughtful board orientation matters more than ever, what’s at risk when onboarding is rushed or unclear, and how organizations can set new board members up for success from day one. From clarifying roles and legal responsibilities to building confidence, culture, and trust, this episode looks at what effective orientation really takes — especially in highly regulated, highly visible environments like healthcare and public education.Liz and Chandu share practical approaches to self‑guided onboarding, peer mentoring, and using technology to make orientation more accessible, consistent, and engaging. Listen in as they discuss how good orientation strengthens governance over the long term — not just in the first 30 days — and why onboarding should be the start of a continuous learning journey for every board member.And be sure to listen to the end for their best advice for board administrators and clerks looking to move beyond a one‑and‑done orientation and build confident, effective boards.Further resources on board member onboarding:Our guide to onboarding and orienting nonprofit board members can be downloaded here.Our guides to onboarding and orienting public board members can be downloaded for public education and local government.