Fulfilling a Role or Just Filling a Seat?
Developing your Board's Capital in Challenging TimesInstructor: Anne
AckersonTHIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDS FROM THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, A STATE AGENCY
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What we’ll cover today:Building a board to meet your organization’s
challengesStrategies to blend and build competenciesThe role of the Board Development
Committee
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It’s Tough Out There!competitiontoo few resourceshigh expectationskeeping audiences engaged, growing and coming
backwhat else is making you want to tear your hair
out?
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Are Our Boards Up to the Task?right skills?right attributes?right support?right culture?
How many of you feel you’ve got the right mix of talent and systems and environment in place for your board to do its best work?
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Board Development CommitteeNeeds Assessment
Ongoing Training
Identification
Evaluation
Rotation
Cultivation
Training
Recruitment
Engagement
Orientation
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Board Development CommitteeWhat is its role?
What are its specific tasks?
Who needs to be on it?
How often will it meet?
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Needs Assessment: Right Skills and AttributesIdentifying Your Board’s Current
Strengths and Future Leadership Needs SWOTVision-Values Discussion: Vision and Mission Statements, Strategic or Long Range PlanSkills/Experience Inventory of Current Board
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Skills/Experience Inventory of Current BoardBoard Member Name
DiversityM/F Ethnic/Racial Age
Profession/Avocation
Areas of Expertise
Active with our organization in the following ways…
Has ability to help our organization do….
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Talent Identification
Matching skills and attributes to potential candidates
Characteristics to think about: forward-looking, optimistic, comfortable
with risk or uncertainty
Using existing and new networks to identify potential candidates
Image from: www.managerfactory.com/.../social_network.jpg
How can you identify new and different board members for your organization?
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Cultivation
Multiple conversations by phone and in person
A tour of the facilities and meeting of staff
Sitting in on a board meetingMeeting board membersAttending an event
A PROCESS THAT MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL INTERACTIONS OVER VARYING LENGTHS OF TIME Tailored to individualCould include
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Recruitment
Based on your researchDescribe why a prospect is wanted and
neededExplain expectations and responsibilitiesIs the prospect interested and ready to serve?Does the prospect need more cultivation?What if the prospect says “no”?
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Orientation Make orientation of new board members (or prospects) a formal activity
Orientation should include:Overview of the organization Tour of facilitiesObservation of programsOverview of the board and staff Board Member Handbook – a handy reference
for new and veteran board members
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Engagement
Pair up newbies and veterans Involve all board members in committees or
task forces right away Ask for one-on-one help; opinions Hold them accountable Thank them often
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Checklist of Items to Include in aBoard Member’s Orientation Packet/Handbook
Section I: Organizational Background
Section II: Governance
Section III: Finance
Section IV: Policies
Section V: Staff /Key Volunteers
Section VI: Program
Board Member’s Bookshelf Bibliography
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Training
Formal
Conferences, seminars or workshops
In-house speakers Field trips RetreatsJoint meetings with
other cultural organizations
Short “tutorials”
Informal
Distribute mission/issue-related articles
Post-board meeting get-togethers
Drop-in opportunities to observe programming
Website area just for board members
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EvaluationWho and What Needs to be Evaluated?The board as a whole Committees Individual board members
What are the tools?Assessment formsStrategic or Long-range PlanAnnual workplansBoard member job description
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Two Words About Board Member Rotation DO IT!
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Questions?Comments?
Session 2 | Webinar Wednesday, June 30, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Getting Beyond the "Bored" Meeting You've probably been there: the report-driven board meeting that keeps you
looking at your watch or stealing glances at your smart phone; or the board meeting that is so over-the-top with ideas that you leave it dazed and confused. These are two ends of one continuum known as the board meeting.
Where does your organization fit?
This webinar will look at some basics, like what board meetings should accomplish, building meaningful agendas and dashboards, and using breakouts, facilitator and conversation recorders.
