Engaging the Engaging the BoardBoard

Tips and To DosTips and To Dos

4 things a board member 4 things a board member can docan do

give board members a chance to invite friends give board members a chance to invite friends to non-fundraising events – daytime, after to non-fundraising events – daytime, after work, casual, formalwork, casual, formal make sure you have a plan for following up, make sure you have a plan for following up,

follow up in a timely way to gauge continued follow up in a timely way to gauge continued interestinterest

get board members to follow up with a thank get board members to follow up with a thank you call for a donationyou call for a donation

get short (2 or 3 sentences) testimonials of get short (2 or 3 sentences) testimonials of why they givewhy they give

train, mentor or coaching for board member train, mentor or coaching for board member

remember to thank the members!remember to thank the members!

root causes of root causes of disengagementdisengagement

feelings attached to asking for money:Asking is CrassYou will be BeholdenCompetitionExposureIncompetenceRejection

tips tips Have a board policy: Have a board policy:

Explain financial obligations before joining, Explain financial obligations before joining, percent, minimum give or get & do not percent, minimum give or get & do not change the ruleschange the rules

Have board members sign the obligation Have board members sign the obligation each annual meeting, along with the conflict each annual meeting, along with the conflict of interest, have one person who is of interest, have one person who is responsible for thisresponsible for this

Know what a board member can bringKnow what a board member can bring i.e. open doors, spread the word- be i.e. open doors, spread the word- be

passionate about the organizationpassionate about the organization Ask: What other gifts can you bring to the Ask: What other gifts can you bring to the

organization? use what they bringorganization? use what they bring address problems right away- bad fit etc. address problems right away- bad fit etc.

more tips more tips Have the board self-evaluateHave the board self-evaluate

what did you do that was good, not good, What are what did you do that was good, not good, What are your strengths?your strengths?

provide training to board where they need and want provide training to board where they need and want itit

Recognize efforts of board members at Recognize efforts of board members at meetingsmeetings

Do not forget board members when they go off Do not forget board members when they go off the boardthe board keep in contact – calls, invitation to receptions. keep in contact – calls, invitation to receptions.

etc. etc. have a board member host a house party social have a board member host a house party social

once a year once a year graduate to advisory, leadership, honorary graduate to advisory, leadership, honorary

boards boards

and more tipsand more tips

On joining survey board for their On joining survey board for their communication preferences, board communication preferences, board committees, where did you go to college, committees, where did you go to college, what associations do you belong to, what what associations do you belong to, what other affiliations (church, professional..)other affiliations (church, professional..)

Board sizes Board sizes Large boards are very difficult Large boards are very difficult Graduate to an executive board then Graduate to an executive board then

transition the larger board to advisory transition the larger board to advisory etc. etc.

resource- United Way standards of resource- United Way standards of excellence for boards ( a guideline)excellence for boards ( a guideline)

how to make it funhow to make it fun

feed them!feed them!

celebrate all successes! small and largecelebrate all successes! small and large

have fun activities for fundraisinghave fun activities for fundraising

social eventssocial events house party in past board members house party in past board members

homeshomesice cream social ice cream social tour (of neighbor hoods, pea patches, etc)tour (of neighbor hoods, pea patches, etc)Videos (+ bloopers)Videos (+ bloopers)

tell success stories (involve kids if you tell success stories (involve kids if you can)can)