July 2011
Help Keep 'Em Board - not Bored - Members
Jerry Panas wrote "Board Members and the Seven Deadly Statements" for the July/August 2011 SPN News. His article discusses board member mindsets that can roadblock an organization's path to success.
The following ideas are adapted from a Richard Male & Associates' article, "Tips for Energizing Your Board Members." The article offers the following tips for how an organization's executives and staff can help keep board members engaged and feisty!
- Conduct yearly retreats. It is important that once per year the board members get away from the monthly routine of meetings to establish personal relationships, help plan the year's activities, and communicate what kind of impact the organization is having.
- Survey board members annually. Every year, interview each board member to determine answers to questions such as: Do you like being on our board? What are the strengthens and weaknesses of our organization? How much time do you have to give us this coming year? What do you want to learn from your involvement in our organization?
- Remember the personal touch. When new people come "on board", gather unique information such as their birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Send them cards and recognize them at the board meeting. Highlight personal accomplishments; feeling important and valuable to the organization that is key. And always thank them publicly for everything they do for the organization.
- Make the board meetings entertaining, productive and educational. The board meetings are "show time" for the staff and board. It is very important that the board members feel the organization in moving ahead and making progress and impact in the community.
- Position the organization with key people in the community. Make sure that the organization is "positioned" right with key constituency groups. The board members should go with the executive director when meeting with funders, city council persons, key businesses or religious leaders.
