Building Your Board’s Capacity: The Power of Delegation and Committees

Good morning, lovely people! Today, let’s talk about a crucial aspect of building your board’s capacity: delegating responsibilities and inaugurating committees. You’ve worked hard on your strategic plan, but without proper execution, it’s just a document sitting on the shelf. Here’s where delegation and committee formation come in—they are the vehicles that will drive your board to success.

Recap: The Road to Capacity Building

Last week, we began discussing the seven steps to strengthen your board’s ability to support your organization in fundraising, achieving your mission, and reaching your vision. We started with a board assessment, where we focused on identifying gaps in skills and contributions within the board. Next, we talked about re-engaging current board members, breathing life into those who’ve gone quiet, and recruiting new members to bring fresh expertise and energy. We also covered strategic planning as a pivotal tool in board development, ending with action planning—the step-by-step guide to executing your strategic goals.

Why Delegate? Why Inaugurate Committees?

Now, it’s time to bring these plans to life. Simply having a strategy won’t move your organization forward. You need to delegate tasks and establish committees to focus on different areas of your plan. Without these structures in place, your board members can easily feel overwhelmed. They’re busy trying to wear multiple hats—finding a location, handling branding, fundraising, and more. All this chaos pulls your board in too many directions, weakening their collective effort.

Instead, when you inaugurate committees, you create smaller groups that laser-focus on specific areas. It’s like turning one powerful engine into several finely-tuned machines, all working towards the same goal. These committees can include board members, but they’re not limited to them—staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders can also contribute.

For example, imagine you’re starting a new project like launching a Christian preschool. You’ll need committees to handle tasks like finding a location, hiring staff, developing the curriculum, and setting up a school board. Each of these committees can zoom in on their specific responsibilities, work efficiently, and report back to the full board. This approach ensures that multiple goals are being pursued simultaneously, without overwhelming anyone.

Real-Life Application: Committees in Action

Let me share a real-world example. We recently worked with an organization planning to start a Christian preschool. During their strategic planning phase, we identified key tasks like finding a location, hiring teachers, creating a curriculum, and developing a school board. Instead of relying on the full board to manage all these tasks at once, we inaugurated committees around these areas.

One committee focused on securing a location. It comprised a few board members with relevant experience, and they were able to focus solely on this task without being distracted by others. Meanwhile, another committee tackled the school board development, bringing in external stakeholders to ensure the right people were in place. We even created a branding committee that involved not only board members but also the marketing officer and external volunteers. This team worked on selecting logos, developing a website, and building the school's social media presence.

By spreading the load and ensuring each committee had clear, actionable goals, the organization was able to move forward efficiently and with full coverage in all critical areas.

Keeping Board Members Engaged Through Delegation

Delegation isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about keeping your board members engaged and invested in the organization’s success. When you delegate tasks, you empower your board members to take ownership of specific areas. This increases their sense of responsibility and keeps them motivated.

It’s important to offer your board members the chance to pick up responsibilities they are passionate about or skilled in. When board members can choose their roles, they’re more likely to stay engaged and excited about their work.

The Role of Non-Board Members in Committees

Committees don’t have to be limited to just board members. In fact, it’s often beneficial to include staff, volunteers, or even community stakeholders in these groups. For example, a branding committee could include your marketing team, while a corporate funding committee might bring in local business leaders to help secure support. This way, committees are well-rounded and draw from a variety of expertise.

Final Thoughts

To truly build the capacity of your board, you must embrace delegation and committee structures. This not only keeps board members engaged but also ensures your strategic goals are being actively pursued. Delegating responsibilities and inaugurating committees are key steps toward achieving your mission and vision.

Next time we’ll dive into empowering board members further, by providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive in their roles. Stay tuned for how to give your board the infrastructure they need to succeed, and keep them motivated and engaged!

Thanks for being here today—let’s continue to build stronger boards together!