登录查看更多内容

How can you create a more diverse and inclusive board of directors for philanthropy?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not only ethical values, but also strategic imperatives for philanthropy. A diverse and inclusive board of directors can help philanthropic organizations better understand and serve their communities, foster innovation and creativity, and enhance their credibility and legitimacy. However, creating a more diverse and inclusive board of directors is not a simple or straightforward task. It requires intentional and sustained efforts, as well as a willingness to challenge existing norms and practices. Here are some steps you can take to create a more diverse and inclusive board of directors for philanthropy.

此文章中的业界达人

由社区从 8 条内容中精选。了解更多

1 Assess your current board

The first step is to assess the current composition and culture of your board of directors. How diverse is your board in terms of demographics, perspectives, experiences, and skills? How inclusive is your board in terms of decision-making, communication, and engagement? How aligned is your board with your mission, vision, and values? How open is your board to change and learning? You can use various tools and methods to conduct this assessment, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or self-evaluation frameworks. The results of this assessment will help you identify your strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

添加您的观点

Eve Akinyi Aboka
举报内容
In my experience the demographics of the survey, interviewed or focus groups should be very broad to including all demographics possible.

已翻译

赞

2 Define your goals and criteria

The next step is to define your goals and criteria for board diversity and inclusion. What are the benefits and outcomes you expect from having a more diverse and inclusive board? What are the specific dimensions of diversity and inclusion that are relevant and important for your organization and your stakeholders? How will you measure and monitor your progress and impact? You can use various sources and models to define your goals and criteria, such as best practices, benchmarks, standards, or frameworks. The key is to make your goals and criteria clear, realistic, and aligned with your mission, vision, and values.

添加您的观点

Eve Akinyi Aboka
举报内容
While defining these goals it is critical that the organization does not participate in what qualifies as “diversity hire” meaning, adding diversity just to show others that the organization is doing it as an “in thing” to do

已翻译

赞

3 Recruit and select new board members

The third step is to recruit and select new board members who can contribute to your board diversity and inclusion goals. How will you reach out to and attract potential board candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities? How will you ensure that your recruitment and selection processes are fair, transparent, and consistent? How will you balance the need for diversity and inclusion with the need for competence and fit? You can use various strategies and tactics to recruit and select new board members, such as expanding your networks, diversifying your sources, creating a board profile, using a nomination committee, or applying a matrix approach. The main challenge is to overcome biases, stereotypes, and barriers that may limit your pool of candidates or influence your decisions.

添加您的观点

K. Jehan Benton-Clark

Social Change Catalyst | Strategic Advisor and Executive Coach | Organizational Transformation
举报内容
Also consider questions such as, ‘How might we cultivate a more comprehensive range of perspectives and expertise on our board?’ and ‘How can we identify candidates who share a commitment to our mission and offer experiences and perspectives that enhance our collective impact?’ Considering these questions, among others, can guide you in framing your approach to potential board members, emphasizing the value they bring, rather than any perceived tokenizing motivations.

已翻译

赞
Kelli King-Jackson, ACC

Coach to Black women leading in white spaces who accomplish their goals with authenticity ?? Social change leader ?? Advisor to progressive funders committed to Black southern communities
举报内容
Having a (self)nomination process that is promoted via your existing partners and communications outlets, is one way to recruit for new board members. The nomination form should include your goals and criteria for adding new board members, along with some sense of time commitment and frequency of meetings. While this process, will require more resources to administer, it will also help you avoid defaulting to bias and familiarity when making your decision.

已翻译

赞
K. Jehan Benton-Clark

Social Change Catalyst | Strategic Advisor and Executive Coach | Organizational Transformation
举报内容
In my experience, the question, “How will you balance the need for diversity and inclusion with the need for competence and fit?” can inadvertently suggest a trade-off or the assumption that diverse candidates lack competence and fit. Before engaging in recruitment, it’s essential to unpack your existing mental models regarding what ‘fit’ truly entails.

已翻译

赞
Eve Akinyi Aboka
举报内容
During the recruitment process, competence shouldn’t be used to further discriminate the marginalized communities who have previously been excluded from such positions due to unfair competitive advantage their non discriminated peers have

已翻译

赞

4 Orient and integrate new board members

The fourth step is to orient and integrate new board members into your board culture and dynamics. How will you welcome and introduce new board members to your organization, your staff, your partners, and your beneficiaries? How will you provide them with the necessary information, training, and support to perform their roles and responsibilities effectively? How will you facilitate their participation, contribution, and feedback in board meetings and activities? You can use various methods and practices to orient and integrate new board members, such as creating a board manual, assigning a board mentor, conducting a board retreat, or establishing a board evaluation system. The main goal is to create a sense of belonging, trust, and respect among all board members.

添加您的观点

Kelli King-Jackson, ACC

Coach to Black women leading in white spaces who accomplish their goals with authenticity ?? Social change leader ?? Advisor to progressive funders committed to Black southern communities
举报内容
If you are opening your board for the first time, especially if it is a family board, consider bringing new board members on in cohorts of 2-3. This allows the new board members to have some peers as they get to know the existing board members. Being the 'only' on a board can lead to power dynamics that make being heard and included challenging. If the cohort model is not ideal, provide a mentor for the new board member. The mentor should be someone who is an effective board member and has time to connect with the new person regularly.

已翻译

赞
Eve Akinyi Aboka
举报内容
Part of the orientation of the board members should be a DEI training to set the foundations of the board in the right direction with DEI practices

已翻译

赞

5 Nurture and sustain board diversity and inclusion

The final step is to nurture and sustain board diversity and inclusion as an ongoing process and a core value. How will you foster a culture of learning, dialogue, and collaboration among board members from different backgrounds and perspectives? How will you address and resolve any conflicts, tensions, or misunderstandings that may arise from diversity and inclusion issues? How will you celebrate and leverage the diversity and inclusion of your board to enhance your organizational performance and impact? You can use various tools and resources to nurture and sustain board diversity and inclusion, such as engaging in board education, facilitating board reflection, creating board policies, or seeking external feedback. The main challenge is to maintain your commitment, accountability, and adaptability to board diversity and inclusion in a changing and complex environment.

添加您的观点

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?

添加您的观点

Philanthropy

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

How can you create a more diverse and inclusive board of directors for philanthropy?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess your current board

2 Define your goals and criteria

3 Recruit and select new board members

4 Orient and integrate new board members

5 Nurture and sustain board diversity and inclusion

6 Here’s what else to consider

Philanthropy

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Philanthropy相关文章

更多相关阅读内容

How can you create a more diverse and inclusive board of directors for philanthropy?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess your current board

2 Define your goals and criteria

3 Recruit and select new board members

4 Orient and integrate new board members

5 Nurture and sustain board diversity and inclusion

6 Here’s what else to consider

Philanthropy

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

查看其他技能