Building Vibrant Boards
Welcome to KWP’s initial quarterly newsletter! It’s hard to believe I’ve been at this consulting and outside general counsel role for over a year. I hope that I’ll be able to offer some experiences and advice here that might spark insights and conversation for you. If you’re looking for some help around board engagement and training, nonprofit management, or conflict resolution, please reach out! You can learn more about what we offer here.
This month’s musings come from recent personal events. I received a call from my children’s elementary school last week, which every working parent knows is the signal that your day is about to get wrecked. Rather than the school nurse on the phone delivering the news that I needed to pick up a sick child, it was even worse…the principal was calling to ask if I would consider serving on the PTA Board.
Everything in me screamed “absolutely not, run the other direction.”
Why?!? There is unlikely to be another board that combines (in one place) so many of the things that I hold dear–my children, their school, public education, and supporting teachers. Sure, I’m stretched thin. But in terms of priorities, shouldn’t this be high on the list? Also, a big part of my job is helping nonprofits understand the essential role that engaged, informed boards play. And yet…
My initial reaction got me thinking that if I’m feeling this way, it’s no wonder that nonprofits can struggle to put together vibrant boards.
How might we acknowledge that and begin to shift folks’ perspectives on joining?
A few things I’m considering in my client work:
1. Widening the pool
Very often, a board’s nominations for new members come from the connections of the current board members. That’s great, but it can also become a bit of an echo chamber. I’m encouraging clients to think about widening their reach for board members–bringing needed diversity to the board and opening up membership to people who aren’t yet involved with the organization. Having a board application available on your website and referenced in your social media outreach is a great place to start.
2. The return on the board member’s investment
Nonprofits talk about joining the board as an opportunity to invest in the mission of the organization, which is critical. There are three other areas where I encourage clients to think about investing in their board members (and advertise these as perks to potential members): offering a sense of community and belonging; networking opportunities; and meaningful trainings. If you’re wondering how to make these happen, let’s chat.
3. Clarity
We are all busy. The pandemic changed things–refocusing people’s time and reminding them that it can be really nice to spend more time at home. Folks have a lot of options of where to put their energy and money. As a result, people’s initial reaction may be to say no (like mine). You should always respect a no, but you want it to be an informed no. Be prepared to share the time commitment and expectations. People are more willing to say yes when they have clarity around what will be needed from them. Develop and use a board job description. Listen to people’s interests and limitations and see if there is a way to make this a meaningful relationship for both parties.
Thanks for the work that you’re doing. Hope to connect soon.
Kate
PS–Spoiler alert, I was able to have a conversation with our principal about the board’s needs and my time limitations. I said yes, and I’m glad that I did. The first board meeting I attended this week was efficient and inviting.
