How do you collaborate with your board between meetings?

1 Communicate regularly

One of the key ways to collaborate with your board between meetings is to communicate regularly and transparently. This means sharing your progress, challenges, opportunities, and feedback in a timely and consistent manner. You can use various tools and methods to communicate with your board, such as email updates, newsletters, dashboards, reports, surveys, and phone calls. The frequency and format of your communication should depend on your board's preferences, expectations, and availability. The goal is to keep them informed, involved, and interested in your work.

2 Solicit input and feedback

Another way to collaborate with your board between meetings is to solicit their input and feedback on strategic issues, decisions, and plans. Your board members have valuable skills, expertise, and perspectives that can help you improve your performance, solve problems, and seize opportunities. You can ask them for their advice, suggestions, and opinions on specific topics, such as fundraising, marketing, program development, or governance. You can also invite them to participate in brainstorming sessions, focus groups, or working committees. The goal is to leverage their knowledge, experience, and networks and to make them feel valued and respected.

3 Acknowledge and appreciate

A third way to collaborate with your board between meetings is to acknowledge and appreciate their contributions, achievements, and efforts. Your board members are volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to support your mission and vision. You can show your gratitude and recognition by sending them thank-you notes, cards, or gifts, by highlighting their impact and success stories, by celebrating their milestones and anniversaries, or by nominating them for awards or recognition. The goal is to foster a positive and supportive culture and to motivate them to continue their involvement and commitment.

4 Provide learning and development opportunities

A fourth way to collaborate with your board between meetings is to provide them with learning and development opportunities that can enhance their skills, knowledge, and confidence. Your board members may have different levels of familiarity and competence with non-profit management, governance, and best practices. You can help them grow and improve by offering them training, coaching, mentoring, or peer learning opportunities. You can also share relevant resources, articles, books, podcasts, or webinars that can keep them updated and informed on the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the non-profit sector. The goal is to increase their capacity and effectiveness as board members and as ambassadors for your organization.

5 Set clear expectations and goals

A fifth way to collaborate with your board between meetings is to set clear expectations and goals for their roles, responsibilities, and performance. Your board members need to know what you expect from them, what they can expect from you, and how they will be evaluated and held accountable. You can use tools such as board agreements, job descriptions, policies, procedures, or contracts to clarify and document your expectations and goals. You can also use tools such as board self-assessments, feedback forms, or performance reviews to measure and monitor your progress and results. The goal is to ensure alignment, transparency, and accountability between you and your board.

6 Build relationships and trust

A sixth way to collaborate with your board between meetings is to build relationships and trust with your board members as individuals and as a team. Your board members are not just a group of professionals, but also human beings with personalities, interests, values, and passions. You can strengthen your rapport and connection with them by getting to know them personally, by showing interest and curiosity in their lives, by expressing empathy and support, or by having fun and informal interactions. You can also foster a sense of team spirit and cohesion by facilitating opportunities for your board members to interact, network, and bond with each other. The goal is to create a trusting and respectful environment where you can work together effectively and harmoniously.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?