Project Managers as Board Members

Porfolio managers in the first play and program managers (sometimes) are in the board. There is no sence to put a project manager as part of the board. After said that, a lot of different flavors could be find outstide there. Mainly about the person who is named as project manager is a project manager in reality or any other type of role.

I think there could be great opportunities for project managers on non-profit boards. Some non-profits are not structured to have portfolio or program managers. This could be for many different reasons... lack of funding or lack of interest from those who have the expertise. I have served on a non-profit board where the strategic goals where created; but the volunteers were not project managers by profession. This is where your communication and influence skills become vital. This is because these are non-paid positions. I would advise you to choose a board focused on a cause which you passionate. I think I would also ask the organization what their experience has been with project management.

I've recently been invited to join the Board of Directors for a healthcare NGO. During the application and interview process, I emphasized my experience and skills in project/program management as something I could bring to the boardroom. I found my skills as a PM to be valuable in my previous service for another non-profit, especially in the areas of communication and stakeholder influence as Demetrius points out. Certainly, I've used PM skills more when I was a volunteer in an organization with a "working board" and actively managed a project. And, I agree that it would depend on the organization and the work the NGO does. But, I would be hesitant to say there's no place for a project manager on the board.