Post on 26-Dec-2015
Board Profile
Recruiting
Orientation
Expectations
Functioning Committees/Work
Ongoing Education
Evaluation
Removal/ Release
Life Cycle of A Board
Communication
Telling Your Board Story
ActivityShare the profile of your Board with a
colleague. What does your Board look like now? Characteristics, ages, professions, level of involvement, spheres of influence, passion for the work…
Board Profile• What is the current profile of your Board?• Does it mirror your community? Your clients or
constituents?• Which spheres of influence does it represent?• Does it have:
–Expertise» Legal, Accounting, Marketing, HR, Fundraising,
Construction, Planning, Investments, Program Development, etc.
– Influence–Affluence
Recruiting
• Not “I have a friend who might do it…”• Board Matrix – art & science• Conduct analysis of board
requirements
RecruitingGENDER
Female Male
AGE Under 35 35-50 51-65 Over 65
PART OF TOWN Downtown Alamo Heights
Inside Loop 410 Between 410 and 1604 Outside 1604 Fair Oaks/Boerne RACE / ETHNIC BACKGROUND African American Caucasian Native American Hispanic/Latino Asian-American Other
RecruitingAREA OF EXPERIENCE
Business/Corporate Personnel/HR Arts Management Artist Public Relations Special Events Planning Strategic Planning Political Knowledge Religious Military Law Construction/Project management Educational Investments Fund Raising Government Banking / Loans and Trusts Accounting Real Estate Knowledge Medical Marketing Physical Plant (architect, engineer) Nonprofit Sector Grant Writing
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
FOUNDATION BOARDS CORPORATE BOARDS NONPROFIT BOARDS/ASSNS
Recruiting
• Who does the recruiting?• Active Nominating Committee• Where do you find the right people?• “Dating” potential Board Members…
Dating… from new member’s perspective
How do you research a potential nonprofit? – Who’s on the Board?– Guidestar, Form 990’s– Copy of Annual Report– Copy of Financials– Copy of Strategic Plan– Copy of Bylaws– Conflict of Interest Policy
Dating…from new member’s perspective
• Time Commitment• Committee Assignments• Organizational Challenges• Level of Personal Commitment
Orientation
• Planned Session led by the Board• Tours• Board Manual
• Previous agendas, minutes• Useful contact information• Budgets, by-laws• Important dates• Conflict of Interest policy
• Board Buddy System
Expectations
• Clear and concise• One-page job description• Ask for a signature• Financial participation• Meeting participation• Role in fundraising• What else?
Sample Expectations Sheet• I, _________, understand that as a member of the Board of Directors of ______________, I have a
responsibility to help the organization fulfill its mission. I believe in the purpose and the mission of the organization, and I agree to act responsibly and prudently as its steward.
• I will be an ambassador for the organization's work and values to the community, represent the organization in a positive manner, and act as a spokesperson only when such authority has been delegated to me by the board.
• AS APPLICABLE: I will attend at least [XYZ number or %] of board meetings, committee meetings, and special events.
• AS APPLICABLE: I will make a personal financial contribution [at a level that is meaningful to me.]• I will actively participate in one or more fundraising activities with the organization.• I will act and make decisions that are in the best interests of the organization, and disclose any conflicts
of interest and not vote on matters where my interests may conflict with those of the organization. • I will stay informed about the organization. I will ask questions and request information as needed. I
will participate in discussions and take responsibility for making a decision by voting.• After a vote has been taken, I will support the action taken, even if I did not vote in favor of the action
taken by the majority of the board.• I will work in good faith with staff and other board members as partners towards achievement of our
goals.• If I don't fulfill these commitments to the organization, I will expect the board chair to call me and
discuss my responsibilities with me, and if I cannot fulfill these commitments for any reason I will offer my resignation to the board chair.
Signed:____________________________ Date: _______• SOURCE: National Council of Nonprofits
Functioning Committees/Work• Traditional Standing Committees– Executive– Finance– Fundraising– Governance/Nominations
• Traditional Ad Hoc Committees– Events– Evaluation of Personnel– Audit
Work At Board Meetings
• If it’s longer than 1.5 hours…• Consent Agenda• Decision/Advice/Information• More discussion than reporting• Dialogue about an issue (small groups)• Stories/Testimonials at every meeting– “mission moment”
Ongoing Education for Board
• “How to read financials” training • Programmatic training• Topical training– How to run a committee meeting– How to ask for money– Board roles & responsibilities– Messaging
• Board Retreat – when needed
Evaluation of the Board
– Annually – Self-evaluation vs.
staff evaluation– Evaluating our work
as individuals and as a whole
– Evaluating our satisfaction
Removal/Release
• Depend on your bylaws (term limits)• Easily done at “end of term”• Advisory Board role?• Challenge: Necessary to remove now– Board Chair must take the lead– Follow your bylaws– Often a conversation resolves the issue
• Succession Plan
Board Profile
Recruiting
Orientation
Expectations
Functioning Committees/Work
Ongoing Education
Evaluation
Removal/ Release
Life Cycle of A Board
Communication
Resources you can use
• www.boardsource.org• www.texascbar.org• www.gailperry.com• www.baconlee.com• www.afpnet.org
Questions?