Nonprofits with engaged boards are rocking it! Don’t you love being part of a governance team seeing success after success from your agency’s efforts? It’s about engagement, or… Passion!
Rarely (never?) have I seen a successful, growing, stable and sustainable not for profit agency that did not have an engaged enthusiastic board of directors. Why does it matter:
- Board engagement = better organizational culture
- Increased impact of the Board as an agent of positive change for Clients
- More time devoted = more hands on deck for good governance & follow-up = Risk Management
- Board Directors become agency ambassadors = more buy-in from stakeholders, more opportunities
- Improved recruitment & retention
Signs your Board is Engaged:
- Client Centeredness is at the core of discussion
- Meetings well attended, excellent preparation & participation
- Members complete orientation and governance education
- Volunteering for governance tasks and officer responsibilities is the norm
- Board donates time, skills, and yes… funds
- Upbeat, enthusiastic ambiance at meetings: work gets done
- Members recruit for vacancies
- Excellent share-the-load approach to renewal of Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, Policies
- CEO feels supported and part of the Board Team
- Evidence / statements of pride in the agency
Here are a few strategies to increase Board engagement:
- The Welcoming Approach – make sure everyone feels welcomed at meetings, is introduced, and supported as needed to access data and tools to perform their duties. Check in. What else might help? What do they need? Can someone mentor a new member?
- Kick up your Board Orientation! Innovate! Instead of a massive binder or online file equivalent, create short videos with Board Members & Staff orientating on key topics. 1-3 minutes each.
- Increase communication – open a confidential Board chat room / share news frequently, not just at meetings or in newsletters
- Ensure Board Diversity – make it a priority and have all Board Members contribute ideas, and start recruiting to correct any gaps in current mix
- Ensure pre-Board meeting time (10-15 min) is upbeat and supports relationship-building and collegial conversation. Use it to get to know each other and build team success.
- Make it clear in Board recruitment and signed agreements to serve, that participation in fundraising and events is expected. Foundation Boards have this as the norm, and unless your agency never needs to raise funds, it must be considered.
- There are times when very serious matters take precedence, possibly for 100% of a meeting. However most of the time, there is a moment or more to highlight wins, successes and new possibilities. All meetings should highlight client stories as well. Board members truly appreciate being informed of the positive as well as the more challenging issue they are required to make decision on.
- Thank and acknowledge Board service: the Board Chair, and the CEO usually share the pleasure of making sure a Board member’s service is appreciated. This goes a long way.
- Ensure that data is provided to show client outcomes: in Client Centered Governance ® Boards, these are almost always excellent. If not, plans are in place to rectify. Knowing specifics about this is truly motivating for board members and the board as a whole.
- Evaluate. Evaluate. The annual board evaluation should contribute to board engagement and highlight any changes required to improve engagement.
Want to increase your Board Engagement? The Client Centered Governance ® Essentials Course will help you Make a bigger difference for the People & Causes you care about. ©
