How do you use your board's connections?

1 Identify your needs

Before you ask your board members to tap into their networks, you need to have a clear idea of what you are looking for. Do you need more donors, volunteers, partners, sponsors, media contacts, or experts? Do you have specific goals, projects, or events that require external support? Do you have a list of potential prospects that match your criteria? By identifying your needs, you can communicate them clearly to your board and help them prioritize their efforts.

2 Engage your board

Your board members are more likely to use their connections if they are engaged and invested in your organization. This means that you need to keep them informed, involved, and inspired. Share your vision, challenges, and successes with them regularly. Invite them to participate in your programs, events, and campaigns. Recognize their contributions and celebrate their achievements. Ask them for their feedback, ideas, and suggestions. By engaging your board, you can build trust, loyalty, and commitment.

3 Train your board

Your board members may have different levels of experience and comfort in using their connections. Some may be natural networkers, while others may need some guidance and support. You can help your board by providing them with training and resources on how to use their connections effectively. For example, you can offer them a workshop on how to make an elevator pitch, how to ask for referrals, how to follow up, and how to steward relationships. You can also provide them with materials such as brochures, newsletters, stories, testimonials, and impact reports that they can share with their contacts.

4 Track your progress

Using your board's connections is not a one-time activity, but a continuous process that requires monitoring and evaluation. You need to track your progress and measure your results. How many contacts did your board members reach out to? How many of them responded positively? How many of them became donors, volunteers, partners, sponsors, media contacts, or experts? How did they contribute to your goals, projects, or events? How did they enhance your reputation, visibility, or influence? By tracking your progress, you can identify what works and what doesn't, and adjust your strategies accordingly.

5 Appreciate your board

Your board members are giving you access to their valuable connections, which is a sign of trust and generosity. You need to show them your appreciation and gratitude. Thank them personally and publicly for their efforts. Acknowledge their impact and outcomes. Share their stories and testimonials with your staff, donors, and stakeholders. Reward them with recognition, incentives, or perks. By appreciating your board, you can strengthen your relationships and motivate them to continue using their connections.

6 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?