It is board recruitment season. If you are thinking about joining a board, do think long and hard about it. Sure, *maybe* it will be good for your career, but:
It's a lot of work and (often) a two-year committment
Short thread:

IF you join a brd and consistently don't show up, you are a drag on the organization. Seriously, you may be tapping resources and morale from both the board and the organization. You don't want to be that person.

Governance boards deal with big picture stuff; if you want to "do stuff" please think long and hard about what that means for you. Is it physically going out in community and "doing a thing"? Great! Maybe don't join a board. Go volunteer somewhere.

There are a few tasks that consistently surprise new board members, but are vital roles for governance boards:
- You govern yourselves, so one of your roles is to ensure that appropriate board policies are in place to do that. For most, this task is as fun as watching paint dry.

- Your org is going to need you to help raise money. I'm talking helping promote your cause, asking people to give, and selling raffle tix. Do not join a board unless you are willing to learn how to do these activities (it's the most hands on stuff a brd does) and then do them!

So: join a board if you can follow though on the time commitment, if you can be satisfied that not all contributions are direct or hands on, and if you want to (learn to) be an advocate for the organization you're joining.

But don't join a board because someone said it would be good for your career or you want to "make a difference" but don't know how. There are so many ways to contribute. Go explore. Good luck!