What do we mean by diversity? We mean a variety of people – people of different

• ages
• educational and professional background
• family status
• gender
• geographic origin
• lifestyle
• personal values and beliefs
• race
• sexual orientation.

A diverse board doesn’t just happen. You can make it happen if you:

• tell members you want a board that reflects the membership
• tell members the co‑op will provide training for new directors
• ask members you think will make good directors to run for the board
• talk with members of diverse groups to find out why they don’t run
• get rid of any barriers you can.

Find out about barriers: You may have created barriers to some members running for the board without realizing it. Talk with different groups to find out what those barriers are. You can remove some, but not all barriers. Here are some you can get rid of:

• meeting dates that conflict with work, family or religious days,
• a meeting place that isn’t accessible,
• unrealistic ideas about what directors should do (time or skills), and
• too many documents to read.

Ask members to run: Some members are shy; others come from cultures where they will not volunteer, but will do a job if asked. A personal request is always the most effective way to find a volunteer.

Provide training for directors: Many co‑op members have never been on a board of directors and it may seem like a big job. Hold an information meeting before your elections to explain what the board does. Tell members the co‑op will provide training for directors after the election. Let them know that they don’t have to be experts in order to run.

Encourage active members to change the positions they hold: If experienced directors keep running for the board, it may be hard to get new people elected – whether they are part of a diverse group or not. New leaders are important for all co‑op boards, so find rewarding jobs for long-serving directors outside the board. Look for ways to encourage board renewal.