Recruiting and Retaining Client Board Members

It really is possible and not even that hard Presented by Julie Reiskin LCSW

Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition LSC Board Member

This workshop will feature interactive sessions that will provide tips and tricks and concrete strategies including: identifying outstanding candidates for your Board from your client pool, recruitment of client Board members, specific training that client Board members may need and how to provide this in safe setting, keeping client Board members engaged in all aspects of Board leadership including fiduciary duties, and retention of client Board members and succession planning.

The session will go through the life cycle of a Board member from the client perspective, identify where things often go wrong and provide specific strategies for avoiding these pitfalls. Participants will leave the session with specific tools that they can use immediately to recruit or retain client Board members that are consistent with both LSC regulations and nonprofit best practice. These tools will help participants build a better board, not simply check a box for compliance. Participants will also be given a small electronic tool kit.

Overview

Identifying outstanding candidates for your Board from your client pool.

Recruitment of client Board members from other sources

Training client board members Integrating client board members onto team Retention & succession planning Common problems and solutions

Agenda

What qualities do your best board members possess?

What qualities do your most challenging board members possess?

Board Members

Which clients should be recruited

Staff Surveys Other Feedback

How do you go about getting internal referrals?

Civil rights organizationOther war on poverty organizations like Federally Qualified Health CentersVeterans’ ProgramsDomestic Violence ProgramsTANF workforce programsWhere else

Other places to find client board members

Have board member job description Recent report Another board member to talk to Overall expectations and Available supports

When recruiting

Pre-interview Formal interview Observe a board meeting Connection to mission Identify the fit

Selection

What training might clients need that is ABOVE AND BEYOND what attorneys need Employment Financial Roberts Rules Board versus staff

Training for client board members

https://www.stayexempt.irs.gov/Resource-Library/Good-Governance

https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources-categories/financial-management

Local Better Business Bureau State Non Profit Agency

Resources for Board Training

Do it Pair up with mentor Include clients with regular board orientation

but offer specific individual training as needed based on client skill set. Involve mentor in training.

Provide ahead of first board meeting

Orientation

Board Responsibilities Board versus Staff Roles Expected Communication What will be in board packet How meetings are run Various programs and regulations with each

program How the budget process works

Make sure to cover

Orientation How meetings are run

Consensus versus Roberts Rules or other structured

Committee work Special Projects Networking Check in early and often

Keeping then engaged

Introductions Agendas Outline decisions versus FYI Board Packet at least a week early Mentoring Acronym Free Zone

How Meetings are Run

Great way to involve newer member Mentoring can take place here Figure out committee in interview Use client board members to help with

customer satisfaction and needs assessments

Committee Work

Client members can shine at special events Many will have skills in event planning and

implementation Make sure they have roles including speaking

roles Other ways client members can add to event

Know local vendors ----unique community venue Greeters -----Silent auction collections

Special Events

Send client board members to events to allow them to network Local events Foundation site visits Trainings National Conferences Policy meetings

Networking

Ask how it is going

And then listen

Don’t discount ideas but explore what is behind an idea that seems strange.

Regular check in’s important

Terms of office –to limit or not to limit Engage on nominating committee Stop problems before they get out of hand Address lack of engagement immediately Continue to check in often

Retention/Succession

Client board member using board process to address personal concerns or concerns of friends

Problems?

Attorney board member proposing policy of minimum annual donation of $250

Problems?

Client board member is making commitments and not following through

Problems?

Client board member asking other board members for legal advice for friends

Problems?

Attorney board members slipping into legalese or acronyms

Problems?

Client board member disengaging.

Problems?

With the right effort you will get amazing hard-working board members---

Summary

Julie Reiskin, LCSW 303-667-4216 jreiskin@ccdconline.org

Questions