Leadership Profiles

ByGary Dalton

Below are guidelines and suggestions for writing leadership member profiles on your About Us page. These tips will help you balance professionalism with warmth, ensuring readers can connect personally while also learning about the club’s governance and expertise.

Key Elements to Include

  1. Name and Position
    • Example: “John Doe, President” or “Sarah Li, Treasurer.”
    • Helps visitors quickly identify the individual’s role and area of responsibility.
  2. Brief Role Description
    • Summarize their main responsibilities and contributions to the club.
    • Example: “Oversees strategic planning and partnerships” or “Responsible for financial oversight and budgeting.”
  3. Relevant Experience or Background
    • Highlight professional or volunteer experience.
    • Can mention if they have prior board or committee experience.
  4. Connection to Lawn Bowling
    • A short anecdote or statement about how they got into lawn bowling, why they are passionate about the sport, and/or their favorite aspect of being a member.
    • This personal touch shows authenticity and a shared love for the game.
  5. Community Involvement or Passions
    • If they volunteer with other charities or have a personal cause they champion, include a brief mention if it aligns with your club’s values.
    • Shows well-roundedness and a commitment to civic engagement.
  6. Light Personal Touch
    • A short personal note, such as a hobby or fun fact, to make them more relatable.
    • Example: “Outside of lawn bowling, Jane enjoys hiking and cooking for friends.”
  7. Photo (if comfortable)
    • A friendly, professional-looking headshot or action photo (e.g., playing lawn bowls).
    • Helps readers associate a face with the name, building connection and trust.

What to Leave Off

  1. Overly Personal or Sensitive Information
    • Avoid sharing details like home addresses, personal phone numbers, or sensitive financial/personal data.
    • Stick to what’s relevant to the club and the leadership role.
  2. Unnecessary Professional Details
    • Detailed career histories or job titles unrelated to the club (unless it directly enhances credibility for their club role) can clutter the profile.
    • Aim for concise relevance.
  3. Controversial or Political Topics
    • Unless directly related to the club’s mission, avoid political statements or positions that could alienate members or sponsors.
  4. Long-Winded Biographies
    • Keep it brief and scannable. Visitors typically want a snapshot rather than a life story.
  5. Acronyms or Jargon Without Explanation
    • If including references to specialized topics, provide simple explanations. Remember the audience might be new to lawn bowling or nonprofit terminology.

Length and Format

  • Aim for 1-2 short paragraphs per person: Enough to highlight who they are and what they do without overwhelming the reader.
  • Use bullet points if needed: Breaking up text can help readability, especially for multiple profiles on a single page.

Tone and Style

  • Friendly and Approachable: Reflect the welcoming spirit of the club.
  • Professional Yet Personal: Convey leadership credibility, but also allow each member’s personality to shine through.
  • Consistent: Keep a similar format and length for each member’s profile for a cohesive look on the page.

Example Profile Template

Name, Position
Role: One to two sentences about primary responsibilities.
Background: A quick summary of relevant professional/volunteer experience.
Why Lawn Bowling: A personal note on how they got involved or what they love about it.
Fun Fact or Personal Note: One sentence about a hobby or interest.

Sample Leadership Profile

Alex Brown, Club Treasurer
Alex joined the Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Club in 2018 and oversees financial planning, budgeting, and membership dues. With years of experience in small business accounting, Alex brings a keen eye for detail and a passion for supporting community organizations. After trying lawn bowling at a local open-house event, Alex fell in love with the sport’s mix of strategy and camaraderie. Outside of the club, Alex is an avid gardener and volunteers with a local animal shelter.

Final Thoughts

By focusing on who each leader is, what they do for the club, and why they care about lawn bowling, you’ll create an engaging and transparent “About Us” page. This approach helps prospective members, donors, and community partners see both the professionalism of your board and the genuine enthusiasm that keeps your club thriving.