3 steps to high performing, engaged nonprofit boards
DESCRIPTION
Managing nonprofit boards takes focus and commitment. Do you struggle to keep their attention? Is attendance low at meetings? Are you struggling to meet goals? Here are the 3 most effective steps you can take to achieve a higher level of engagement and performance form your board. Whether staff or volunteer, this will help guide the way.TRANSCRIPT
3 Steps to Engaged,
High-Performing Boards
Presented by Cindi Phallen
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These slides were part of a webinar and are most effective with the
recording. I’ve revised them a bit so there is more text on slides which should help explain salient points.
Please feel free to contact me if you’d like further explanation.
Enjoy!!
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I addition to documents I upload here and on 4good.org, my blog is emailed every two weeks (sign up on my site), and my facebook posts include resources and tips. And now – I have a new book! Consider checking it out on Amazon….it’s gotten great reviews and I think it will be helpful along your journey.
How to determine what motivates your board members
How to turn motivation into participation
How to build relationships that support the work
How to start (re)building the team so engagement turns into retention
How to stop the chaos, and focus on what matters
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Finding/Getting board members
Engaging board members
Not having clear expectations
Board not focused on priorities/lack of direction
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1. Clarify Their Value
2. Ask the Right Questions
3. Recruit Some Champions
The goal is always to strengthen
the relationship
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Start at the beginning by telling them how you think they can contribute to your organizational goals:
- Aligned with strategic initiatives
- Recruitment
- Orientation
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Throughout their service:
- During goal-setting
- At committee meetings
- As fundraisers
- As ambassadors
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Be PROUD of them, no matter what!
- list names, videos, ask to post, feature in newsletter, silly awards, thank and appreciate
Remember this when you need different results:
Message to Group = just information
Message to Individual = understanding and commitment
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Of them…….
- Why did you join the board?
- What are you enjoying most about your board experience?
- How do you see yourself supporting our goals in the next year?
- What do you need to feel
equipped to do so?
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Of them…….
- What concerns you the most?
- How do you think we performed to goals in this past year?
- Do you think we’re measuring the right things?
- How well do you know the
other board members?
Of Yourself……
- What is my mindset about board engagement?
- When was the last time I thanked them?
- What’s been either stated or implied in regard to what is important to them?
- How can I provide that?
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Of Yourself……
- What board education/training has been
provided recently?
- How often are there social opportunities for
them to strengthen relationships?
- What do I know about them outside their board work?
- Do I treat them as well as I treat
major donors?
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3. Recruit Champions
You’re not in this alone – the goal is to enlist some support in lining up what motivates the individual members with the needs of the organization.
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Even more beneficial with large boards (spread the work)
Peer to peer –volunteers respect each others’ efforts and requests
Engagement works both ways – they want to relate with you too
Leadership development (mentor)
Structure board development committee around engagement goals
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Just one thing……
what’s the one thing you’re
willing to commit to in the next week that will drive stronger board engagement?
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Cindi Phallen
858.618.4762
facebook.com/cindiphallen.strategy
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