strategies for success: board member recruitment & retention
DESCRIPTION
Don’t have the board members you need to serve the organization and can’t keep the great ones you have recruited? Building a strong and reliable nonprofit board of directors is no easy task, but leveraging simple best practices and innovative strategies can mean the difference between an engaged, effective board of directors and a social club with minimal leadership. There are new strategies and vehicles for recruiting board members and concrete steps your organization can take to set the board, and your nonprofit, up for success. This workshop is designed for both nonprofits recruiting board members and individuals looking to be join boards.TRANSCRIPT
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
Strategies for Success:
Board Member Recruitment & Retention
Emily Davis
August 1, 2012
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
Advising nonprofits in:
• Strategy
• Planning
• Organizational Development
www.synthesispartnership.com
(617) 969-1881
INTEGRATED PLANNING
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
www.mission.do
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
Today’s Speaker
Emily Davis President
EDA Consulting Hosting:
Sam Frank, Synthesis Partnership Assisting with chat questions: Jamie Maloney, Nonprofit Webinars
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS:
BOARD MEMBER
RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
August 1, 2012
Emily Davis, MNM
EDA Consulting
CHALLENGES
Unclear expectations
Lack of commitment
Low engagement
Work load issues
Under valued
Underutilized
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
SUCCESS FACTORS
Commit adequate resources
Adopt a mutually-beneficial mindset
Conduct evaluation
Provide regular & appropriate recognition
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
BOARD RECRUITMENT
Process & timeline
Roles & responsibilities
Leadership assessment
Board application
Marketing & outreach
Interviews
Selections process
Evaluation
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
RECRUITMENT PLAN
PRE PLANNING
Job descriptions
Letter of commitment
Board matrix
Prospect lists
Language (application,
invitations)
Point person
Outreach efforts
APPLICATION PROCESS
Prep application
Deadlines
Call to action
Notification
Meeting invite
Board buddies
Decision making
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational mission
General description
Responsibilities:
– Set policy
– Govern
– Fiscal
– Meetings
– Board Terms
– Strategic Direction
– Oversee Executive Director
Qualifications
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
BOARD ASSESSMENT
Skills & Expertise
Demographics – age,
ethnicity, gender
Networks
Wealth & access to wealth
Relationship to mission
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
DESIGNING AN APPLICATION
Contact info
Professional role(s)
Education
Nonprofit experiences
Skills, background, expertise
Interest in the org
Leadership role(s)
Committee interests
Board leadership knowledge
Motivation(s) for joining
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
OUTREACH: START WITH THE INNER CIRCLE
Current & past board members’ networks
Staff
Volunteers
Donors
Individual, corporate, & private donors
Government officials
Community foundation(s)
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
OUTREACH: MOVING BEYOND THE INNER CIRCLE
Nonprofit advisory &
governing boards
Organization & community
volunteers
Current donors & volunteers
Committee members
Corporate giving & board
programs
Nonprofit networks
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
INTERVIEWS
Prepare consistent questions
Interview in teams of two
Education about organization
Dialogue to determine fit
Identify any conflicts of interest
Answer candidates’ questions
Follow up on application
Confirm commitment (time, treasure, talent)
Explain next steps
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
SELECTION/DUE DILIGENCE
Match candidate with assessment
Discuss with board development committee / entire board
Learn about work ethic, past work
Trust your gut!
Invite final candidate(s) to a board meeting.
Seek complete board approval
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
NOTIFICATION
What language will you use
for notification?
How will you notify declined
candidates?
How will you notify
recommended candidates?
Explain next steps
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
EVALUATION
Feedback from board candidates
Debrief among entire board
Debrief in board development committee
Make necessary revisions / improvements
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
BOARD RETENTION
Board Development Committee
Orientation
Board Buddies
Board Policies & Procedures
Meetings & Gatherings
Professional Development
Self-Evaluation
Recognition
Conflict Management
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
ROLE OF THE BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Improve the overall quality of board
service & experience
Design & communicate the recruitment
process
Initiate ongoing professional development
Manage strategic planning
Organize social activities
Evaluate
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
ORIENTATION CHECK LIST
Overview & History
Philosophy & Values
Programs & Resources
Fundraising Overview
Board Structure & Resources – Description & Expectations
– Communications
– Board manual
Letter of commitment
Committees
Board Buddies
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
BOARD BUDDIES
Pair new and tenured
board members
Board buddies for 3
months
Meet up socially
Answer questions
Serve as a resource
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
Organizational Overview
Legal Docs
Policies & Procedures
Financials
Strategic Plan
Board Overview
Contact Information
Board Calendar
Past Agendas & Minutes
E-governance
www.edaconsulting.org
BOARD MANUAL
8/1/2012
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Consistent, quick, and accessible Effective project management Leverage technology (i.e. BoardEffect®) E Governance
– Internal websites – Email – Teleconference calls – Web conference calls – Listservs – Discussion boards
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
MEETINGS & GATHERINGS
Annual board social gathering (wine &
cheese, sporting event, bbq, etc.)
Facility tour
Board buddy meetings
Staff one-on-one
Strategic Planning
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Critical for success
In-services or required professional development
Hire outside facilitator
Examples: – Financial management
– Communications
– Fundraising
– Leadership
– Programs
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
SELF EVALUATION
Individual performance
Board performance: meetings, decision-
making, etc.
Chair/President performance
Committee performance
Executive Director performance
Organizational performance
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
RECOGNITION
Share organizational successes
Connect successes to board work
Highlight individual accomplishments
Proper recognition at term’s end
Stay connected
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Don’t be afraid of conflict!
What is the process for
conflict resolution?
Don’t take it personally
What is best for the
mission?
How will you demonstrate
excellent leadership?
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
Before You Join a Board…
• Set yourself up for success
• Know that it is about the mission
• Be aware of the time commitment
• Review your responsibilities and
expectations
• Review the policies and procedures
• Review their financials
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• BoardSource
• Nonprofit Associations
• Independent Sector
• Society of Nonprofit
Organizations
• Idealist.org
• BoardEffect
• Alltop Nonprofit
• IdeaEncore
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
THANK YOU!
Emily Davis, MNM
EDA Consulting LLC
(720) 515-0581
www.edaconsulting.org
www.edaconsulting.org/blogs
www.Facebook.com/edanpoconsulting
Twitter: @edaconsulting
www.edaconsulting.org 8/1/2012
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
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