I agree that local groups - of whatever kind - are good and valid places to contribute, and it's also where leaders grow - finding out how to make things happen in small groups and from that deciding if they want to try with a large group and all the challenges that brings.

No good answers on the rest. I think we should all try to look for people with the ability and the potential and make sure they that they know they have the ability and the potential - making sure they see the possibility. From there it's up to them if they can make the commitment and find a way to find value in the experience.

Time seems to be the constraining factor for most people I talk to. We're trying to reduce the time it takes, but that will take another year, probably two, to get it down to something closer to a traditional board role.