I’m in my home town of Chicago this week, spending some time at Wrigley Field rooting for the World Championship Chicago Cubs.

But before I hit the road I was thinking about you, Dear Reader. Yes, I put a new tool in the toolbox!

It’s a Board Pre-Campaign Survey – a quick and easy way to gauge your board’s readiness to take on a major fundraising campaign.

We all know that the board can mean the difference between a ho-hum campaign and a grand slam. Before you commit to a campaign, make sure your board is as excited as you are.

They will need to step up to the plate in a few essential ways:

• Give first and give generously
• Open doors to new prospects
• Solicit gifts
• Attend ask meetings with other solicitors
• Serve on a Campaign Steering Committee
• Host or attend campaign events

And more!

Of course, not every board member will be prepared to do all of these things. Putting together a great batting order is like a puzzle. Everyone should play a specific and useful role. The end result is a cohesive and winning team.

The Board Pre-Campaign Survey cuts straight to the question: What do you specifically intend to do to provide tangible leadership to the campaign?

An ideal way to introduce the survey is at a board meeting. Review the survey and talk about each activity. Allow time for questions and discussion. Then have everyone complete the survey.

Once you have the results in hand, you can:

• Determine if your current board is ready to take on a major fundraising campaign
• Identify what skills and desires need to be augmented on the board
• Keep the data so you’ll know who to turn to for what during the campaign

We have found that most board members find this exercise extremely reassuring. It takes the mystery out of what’s expected of them.

Regardless of the results, remember to provide plenty of training and support for your board during a campaign. And definitely celebrate every home run along the way!