Just last week it happened again. Not only did I attend a pretty ineffective board meeting, but I also listened while several board members complained about how their meetings are a waste of time. I really don’t get it. You probably wouldn’t allow a meeting to ramble along without focus in a corporate setting, so [...]
While everyone else is busy engaging with donors this time of year, what if you spent some time appreciating your board members? I mean they're donors too, right? Do you treat your board members at least as well as your major donors? After all, not only do they invest financially, but they share their expertise [...]
Has this ever happened to you? Maybe you’re a peer who is counting on a board member to follow up on a project and it doesn’t happen. Or you’re the CEO and a board member told you they’d reach out to someone and they didn’t do it. Or the deadline for that fundraiser is tomorrow [...]
You’ve seen the studies. The 2015 Leading With Intent Report from Board Source shows that only 60% of nonprofits have achieved 100% board giving. Even when every board member is investing, rarely are they treated as well as other major donors. That’s ridiculous. Why such harsh words? * If you’re in the other 40%, you’re [...]
Everyone who loves meetings, raise your hand. Yeah. I will never forget when I was doing some calendar work with 3 board members. As soon as I mentioned that we needed to schedule some regular committee meetings, I got an eye roll, a sigh and an outright “aarrrrrggghh!” as she slumped in her chair. Yikes! [...]
A new class of board members is about to join your nonprofit team! Are you ready for them? Are you committed to investing in their experience so that it’s meaningful for them and of benefit to your organization? Or are you avoiding eye contact and hoping they just find their way? If you want engaged, [...]