Picture this--You are looking across a vast landscape where dust is puffing, wind is rushing, and tumbleweeds are churning by. Not much production going on. This venue is similar to a movie set for a ghost town. Do you ever get this view when you look at your board of directors? Are the members sitting at a meeting, yet you know they are really “not there”?
Everything about your not-for-profit organization may be moving forward--except your board of directors. Sometimes board members become disinterested, too busy to attend board meetings, or just plain lose all interest. Here are some things to consider that can bring them back to the cause and wake up your ghost town.
A myriad of obligations can draw your trustees in various directions. It is essential to keep their attention so they can contribute ideas and experience to your organization. High-profile community leaders can open doors and get things done. They are key elements in raising money for your cause.
One way to gain their attention …
Identify why each member joined - each person has a specific reason.
Be a detective and analyze why each board member joined. When you know the reasons, you can highlight these purposes for your board. Find the best areas in which to invest their efforts. Usually the members have a personal interest and drive to assist your cause. They believe in what you do, and, perhaps have personally experienced events that put your cause close to their hearts. Occasionally this motivation declines. It is still present. . . but hibernating. You need to wake it up.
Having a friendly chat with members one-on-one is a good way to bond, open-up, and find out more about each participant. You can ask them questions that open their thoughts about your organization and offer you great inside views into their motivations. Ask some of the following questions to open the discussion:
~ How does our mission motivate you?
~ What is it about our work that inspires you?
~ What skills and talents do you bring to the board?
~ What activities do you most want to be involved in or lead?
~ What would you like to personally do for the organization?
~ What are your goals for our organization?
~ How do you see yourself best contributing to these goals?
~ What can we do to get your more involved?
Even discussing these items can make a board member feel more valued and more attached.
Set Objectives
After better understanding a board member’s personal incentives, work with that member to set goals. Establish objectives that include what they see for themself and your organization. Include skills and talents they mentioned during your personal conversation. You can even go so far as to set goals by month and year--short-term and attainable. Most board members are used to driving and reaching goals. They are usually “shakers and doers”. Give them something specific to control.
Keep Board Members Involved
Work with your board's leadership and make sure they understand your organization's history, who the staff and other board members are, what your committees do, and where your talent and resource needs are. Often individuals need to know exactly what you expect from them.
Merely being on the board may not be enough for some members. Give each member clear goals and responsibilities--with expected outcomes. It is the job of the entire board to tap into the pulse of the local community, to help oversee and guide your organization forward. These activities are all components of designing bylaws, organizing committees, defining individual responsibilities. Define the role of each board member and how he will be accountable for achieving the goals of his role. Reaching these goals makes the board members feel more united and a part of the whole. Board members can help each other successfully achieve their objectives and this unifies the board.
Get to Know your Board
Invest time in knowing the people on your board. They are the backbone of your organization and a driving force helping you reach your mission. Personalize the relationship between you, your board members, and the organization. Put effort into doing something that is not work-related each quarter with all the board member. Acknowledge personal and professional achievements, participate in weekend get-aways, host out-of-work get-togethers, and keep one-on-one contact going. A simple swim party and BBQ can go along way.
Stay involved with board members by allowing them to experience the success of your organization’s efforts. Invite a happy client to attend a board meeting and share their story and how your organization helped them. If you have a donor that is especially interested in your cause, have a board member call on the donor and discuss your mission. Board members become more engaged when they are a part of more than just “attending the board meeting”.
In fact, don’t judge the engagement of a board member by his attendance at meetings. Just because a volunteer board member can't make all of the meetings doesn't mean he doesn't want to help or can't contribute to your cause. Many valuable board members would rather work in other ways. Some people just do not enjoy going to meetings, yet they are happy to make a phone call and open many doors to your organization. There are many ways to help as a board member. Let the member choose their best approach.
Give Them the Truth
Life at a not-for-profit isn’t all sunshine and unicorns. Your organization faces challenges beyond soliciting money. If your board members have a perspective that “all is well” at your organization, they may feel that they can’t really contribute any efforts that would make a difference. Most board members want to see that they make a different; and if they don’t, they may move-on to a more needy organization. Be honest and let the board know how things really stand.
Give them the truth. Let them know the problems and situations you are facing. Members may have experience solving similar issues--or know someone who might help. Allowing the board members to see behind the scenes and see your real needs can show a member how he can best help. Remember, board members need to be needed. When they help solve a problem they feel accomplished and become more engaged with your cause.
Don’t Waste Their Time
Stay on time and on target. Boring and wandering meetings suck the life out of the members’ enthusiasm. Start with a succinct agenda with a timeline--and stick to it. Keep meetings under 90 minutes. Feed the board members and give then a brief break during your meeting to wake them up and reinvigorate them.
Set an objective of what you want the meeting to accomplish. Focus on your mission. Invite discussions that stick to the topic and keep to the time schedule. When board members miss a meeting, update them with an email. Pull them into the experience so they feel involved.
Motivate with Participation
Engage your board members by mixing them into projects and events. Invite them to your facilities and let them meet and converse with staff and volunteers. Let them be part of a fundraiser. Ask them to visit a donor. Offer a choice of options--not everyone wants to help on the fundraiser committee. Give the option to open doors to various sections of the community. Well-connected board members can provide invaluable introductions. When they feel part of what your organization is doing they become engaged. When board members reflect your mission, your cause really becomes their cause.
Don’t lose sight of the driving forces behind busy people. They have a lot going every week. They want to feel they are making a difference. Keep them busy and boost their enthusiasm for your cause. If they do not see their role as critical to your mission, they may lose interest and drift away like a tumbleweed. If they don't see their role making a difference for your organization, they'll spend their time making a difference elsewhere. People who join boards do so to really contribute their talents to make a difference.
Keep Them in The Loop
Attending meetings informs board members of your activities. The more informed they are the more likely them are to be engaged. Keep them in the loop. Send them updates throughout the year. While board meetings may only be quarterly or monthly, summaries could potentially be sent weekly or biweekly. Don’t send emails just to send emails; make sure they include deliberate details on important actions, and don’t be afraid to mention how the organization can use their help. Provide regular updates on the board’s goals. Tell them about progress towards goals, and when achieved, share the results--even if not always good. Members in-the-know feel more connected and engaged.
In summary:
~ Get to know each board member
~ Discover likes and interests
~ Match interests with roles and responsibilities
~ Don’t waste their time
~ Keep them busy and involved
~ Focus on your mission
Use these suggestions to breathe new life into a ghost town and revive a sluggish board. Your board is the strength of your organization. Each member is a community representative of your cause and their decisions determine the direction your team takes. When the board is strong and successful, your organization is strong and successful. Learn more about working with your board by visiting our other blog posts at TBFosteraccountng at https://www.tbfosteraccounting.com/blog/category/Management%20.
Comments