Ever wonder why your board members aren’t “out there” fundraising for your organization?
Want to keep your board members enthusiastic about your organization and it’s mission? Here are 5 surefire ways to keep the members of your board members from being bored.
1. Add Excitement to Your Board Meetings
Unfortunately most board meetings are boring, but they don’t need to be. Start by throwing out Robert’s Rules and eliminate the boring reports. Shake things up! Have a meaningful discussion about programs and your organization’s mission.
2. Fully Utilize the Talents and Connections of Your Board Members
Is each board member treated differently and relied upon for their specific area of expertise? Each member should serve on your board for a specific reason. Make sure you’re fully tapping into their networks and special skills.
3. Have Specific Discussion Topics for Each Board Meeting
Be sure to include an important discussion as part of each board meeting. Prepare members on the topic of the discussion, including pros and cons and lead a meaningful discussion. Ask your board members honestly and sincerely for their input and expertise. Let them know their opinions are valued.
4. Include Specific Goals for Each Board Meeting
The purpose of your board meeting should never be just to “report out” to board members. Include specific goals. One of your goals will be to update the board members and provide information, but that’s only one goal. Think of your board meetings as an outlet for having discussions, making decisions and moving forward on specific projects.
5. Feature a Feel-Good Aspect About Your Mission
Include a feel-good element that reinforces your mission, or a “mission moment” (I believe Gail Perry coined the term, but I may have heard it elsewhere) as a part of each meeting. Each meeting should have a component where board members are reminded why they serve on your board. It could be a live client testimonial, a letter from a client, etc. Whatever story is shared should be so moving that board members are talking about it with each other, at work, and at home for a week or more!
If we want to keep our board members energized and engaged with our organizations, we need to provide them with meaningful and fulfilling experiences. Happier, more enthusiastic board members are much more likely to be advocates in the community for your cause and your organization. Get them jazzed up so they spread the word!
Getting Even More From Your Board Members
There’s no one who livens up a board meeting better than my colleague, Gail Perry. She has several incredible posts on the topic. Here are two you don’t want to miss:
And if you want truly exceptional board members, see my post:
I’m sure you’ve attended your share of boring baord meetings, as well as some that have been invigorating. Share your best or worst board meeting moments in the comments.
About Amy Eisenstein
One way to help eliminate boring reports is to adopt a consent agenda – all regular business is bundled together, approved, and then the board is free to do the things they really need to be focusing on – ie strategic planning, fundraising and fiscal oversight.
The most awkward moment at a boar meeting for me was when the consultant I had brought in started to remove articles of clothing – she had another set of clothes on underneath and it was all to make a point that appearances can be deceiving, but still – awkward.
Wow. Great story. That sounds heart stopping. Thanks for sharing!
Great advice, Amy! I’m letting one of my GRANTcoach participants know about this post right away. We were just discussing the importance of a strong board and these are some very useful tips.
Thanks, Betsy! So glad you found it useful and are passing it along!