3 Things You Would Love to Say to Your Board (But Youre Afraid - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
3 Things You Would Love to Say to Your Board (But Youre Afraid To) Hello! We are Nikki McCord & Marc Pitman Were here to give advice on how to work WITH your board of directors as partners. You can find us at @McCordConsult
3 Things You Would Love to Say to Your Board (But You’re Afraid To)
We are Nikki McCord & Marc Pitman We’re here to give advice
board of directors as partners. You can find us at @McCordConsult & @marcapitman
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Boards & Fundraising
What are appropriate expectations?
Does your board engage in fundraising more than other nonprofit boards?
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Not a “one size fits all” formula
▪ Models of boards vary - based on stage of nonprofit’s
▪ But all expectations should be honest □ NOT “It won’t be much work and it’ll be lots of fun”!
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Fundraising isn’t invoicing
▪ Invoices let you have even cash flow ▪ Typical nonprofit fundraising comes in cycles - some based on the calendar but often based on a nonprofit’s fundraising activity ▪ To set goals, it’s best to use a 3 or 5 year rolling average
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This can be extremely challenging for board members (and CFOs too)
Fundraising isn’t guessing
▪ This is a profession - not based on “gut” or emotions ▪ There are 3 sources of money and proven ways to effectively get it (and, no, NOT a bake sale) ▪ So staff needs to keep up on the studies and feed the best information to board members
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It’s not something any group can subcontract
My organization has both an Executive Director and a Development Director. What are each of their roles in fundraising?
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In tandem
▪ Executive Director must stay involved and cast vision ▪ Director of Development handles strategy & activities ▪ Executive Directors can often still be giving 50% of time to fundraising - but in a much more focused manner
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Your Board should achieve 100% participation in your fundraising efforts.
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Clear expectations for board members
1. Give generously - give a gift you’d be proud of 2. It’s not “give OR get” but “give AND get” 3. Fundraising, done correctly, won’t cost you your friends 4. And fundraising isn’t the only reason you’re on the board
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Clear expectations for board members
▪ We’re (the staff) not asking you to be fundraising
▪ We are asking you to be “ambassadors”- introducing the Executive Directors to others she may not yet know
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Board Recruitment & Leadership
Everybody has a role
Who does the primary board recruiting for your nonprofit?
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DOS & DON’TS in Recruiting Nonprofit Board Directors
DO DON’T
Develop networks of people and organizations that share similar values to identify potential board members. Fail to disclose a previous relationship with a potential board member. Recommend qualified individuals to serve on the board by
would bring to the table. Recommend for possible nomination individuals with whom the Executive Director would like to enhance their relationship. Participate, along with members of the governance committee, in interviews with potential board members. Work with someone other than the governance committee to recommend and vet new board members. Lead interviews of potential board members.
Give the impression that the ED makes final decisions on approving board members or that the ED is recruiting supporters for their management approach.
Recruit for Skills - Not Warm Bodies
▪ Identify your goals ▪ Determine the skills of current board directors ▪ Recruit directors who have the skills to meet board goals.
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What happens when a board director questions why they’re a member of the board?
Working with ED
▪ Boards are often most energized strategic planning & hiring and firing the ED ▪ Expectations after the hire are often unclear ▪ Which can lead to micromanaging and even board bullying Hire the best ED possible and then trust her and support her to help her succeed
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Energize Your Board of Directors
▪ Board Orientation ▪ Facility Visit ▪ Review of Annual Report
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We meet every month, but are we really doing anything?
Board Director for Life!
▪ This is a board term, not a Supreme Court appointment ▪ Term Limits are your Friend ▪ To stay relevant, innovate with fresh ideas / directors
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Diversity in Recruitment
▪ Define what diversity means to your group ▪ Don't expect diverse candidates to show up at your door ▪ Recruit for diversity every time you recruit directors
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Board Training
Learning is a life-long activity
How regularly does your board do training?
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Make training normal
▪ Board members want to do well, show them how ▪ And do it systematically, not just in reaction to crise
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Board Training leads to Team Building
▪ Training occurs after new directors join the board ▪ Returning board directors can train new board directors ▪ Training includes roles and responsibilities of board directors
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Board Training Levels the Field
▪ Board directors are at different levels of experience ▪ When board directors hear the information at the same time, the playing field is leveled ▪ No matter a board directors’ level of experience, they always learn something new at a board training.
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Mission Statement
Know It?
▪ Board directors are ambassadors who should know the mission ▪ Include the mission on every agenda ▪ A review of the mission should be included in your board training
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Board membership should = growth
▪ Board members should be able to grow personally and professionally ▪ Let them know what skills you’ve seen in them that led them to be nominated to the board ▪ AND ask them what areas they’d like to learn more about or grow in
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Any questions? You can find us at ▪ @McCordConsult or www.McConsultGroup.com ▪ @marcapitman or www.ConcordLeadershipGroup.com
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