Board development skills are essential for any non-profit leader who wants to build a strong, diverse, and engaged board of directors. A well-functioning board can provide strategic direction, oversight, fundraising, and advocacy for your non-profit. But how can you develop these skills and apply them effectively? Here are some tips to help you.
Before you can develop your board, you need to understand its current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. You can use various tools and methods to conduct a board assessment, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or self-evaluation forms. The goal is to identify the gaps in skills, knowledge, diversity, and performance that your board needs to fill. You can also solicit feedback from your board members on their expectations, motivations, and satisfaction with their roles.
The Before you can develop your board, you need to understand its current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. You can use various tools and methods to conduct a board assessment, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or self-evaluation forms. The goal is to identify the gaps in skills, knowledge, diversity, and performance that your board needs to fill.
Based on the results of your board assessment, you can create a board development plan that outlines the goals, strategies, and actions for improving your board. This plan should include a clear vision and mission statement for your board, as well as a board recruitment strategy that defines the criteria, process, and sources for finding new members. Additionally, it should incorporate a board orientation and training program that covers the roles, responsibilities, and policies of your board. Furthermore, it should feature a board evaluation and feedback system that measures the progress and impact of your board, along with a board recognition and retention strategy that acknowledges and rewards the contributions of your board members.
You can use various tools and methods to conduct a board assessment, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or self-evaluation forms. The goal is to identify the gaps in skills, knowledge, diversity, and performance that your board needs to fill. You can also solicit feedback from your board members on their expectations, motivations, and satisfaction with their roles.
Once you have your board development plan, you need to implement it with the support and involvement of your board. You can assign roles and tasks to different board members or committees, and set timelines and milestones for each action. You can also communicate regularly with your board about the status and outcomes of your plan, and celebrate the achievements and successes. You should also monitor and adjust your plan as needed, based on the feedback and data you collect.
Developing your board is not only about the technical aspects, but also the relational and cultural aspects. To create a board culture that's in line with your non-profit's values, vision, and goals, it's important to establish clear and consistent expectations and norms for your board. Open and respectful communication and dialogue should be encouraged among board members, as well as opportunities for social and informal interactions and networking. Additionally, diversity, equity, and inclusion should be promoted in the board composition and practices. Feedback and input from board members on key issues and decisions should also be welcomed.
I believe culture is very important for any organization in order to be successful and to serve its clients. Even in my local Dollarama, the cashiers are efficient, friendly, and genuinely seem to enjoy helping customers through the lineup. I recently resigned as president of a not for profit, because there was a total Failure by the founding directors to fulfil their responsibilities as directors. There was no common culture throughout the organization and I was fighting an uphill battle to create one.
Developing your board can be a complex process, and you may not have the resources or expertise to do it internally. You can seek external support from various sources, such as other non-profit leaders, consultants or coaches, online or offline courses, webinars, workshops, publications, networks, and associations. These can provide guidance and assistance in conducting board assessments, creating board development plans, facilitating board trainings or retreats, and connecting you with potential board candidates. Developing your board skills can help you create a board that is aligned with your non-profit's mission and goals. By following these tips, you can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of your non-profit and achieve greater impact.