“Treat each and every board member exactly as you would any other major gift prospect.”
This was Ann’s parting comment in her post last week. I have one amendment. You should actually treat your board members BETTER than any other major gift prospect.
Why? Because not only are they your biggest fans, but they can also be your most loyal donors and a dependable source of flexible, unrestricted money. They LOVE your organization and most will make as big a gift as they can.
But I’m here today to tell you as a board member myself for many years — it’s hard work.
And what do I get back in return?
Well, actually, I’ve been lucky. Several organizations I have volunteered with have been very thoughtful about the way they treat board members. Here’s 7 great things they have done to keep my commitment level high. See if they might work for your board:
1. Recognize the win-win: When I went on a board a few years ago, the executive director asked me in our first discussion, “What will you get out of being on this board?” I was stunned. No one had ever asked me that before. But truthfully, I did have something very specific in mind. I wanted to serve on this particular board because a woman that I had admired my whole career in Washington, DC was also on this board. I was so excited to meet her I couldn’t stand it. Being on the board was definitely a win-win for me. Do you know why your board members are serving? Are they getting what they want out of the experience?
2. Schedule social time: Just like any other group of people, board members want to have fun. One board I’m on has a dinner at a board member’s house the night before every meeting. We really get to know each other as people and I think we work better together as a result. And it does provide that networking time that many board members are looking for in their win-win.
3. Bring on the inspiration: After some contentious board meetings a couple of years ago, the staff and board chair of an organization where I served on the Board worked together to bring in people from the field to talk about their work. Instead of pouring over financials and statistics, we began our meetings with a presentation by program staff who were on the front lines of their issue. It charged our batteries for the rest of the meeting and made a huge difference in the level of our discussion.
4. Provide training where needed and requested: Talk about a win-win! A couple of years ago, I was on a board where the financials were really quite complicated. Even though I have an MBA, I was having trouble deciphering part of the financial statements and others were, too. So, in our yearly self-assessment, board members requested some training. The CFO organized a session with our auditors and the financial discussions suddenly became much more robust and productive. I learned something new, too.
5. Send a photo, video, client story: There is nothing I like more than to open an e-mail from an organization I love and to get a glimpse into the work it does. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but bringing the front line work alive makes board members feel good about their commitment and inspires them to send things on to others.
6. Put aside tickets, swag, trinkets: Look around you. You might have stuff that your board members would really appreciate. I once had a staff member bring back a bracelet from a trip he took to Kenya to thank me for my board service at an international organization. I know he brought back a ton of those bracelets, but it meant a lot to me, and I still support that organization today. Kids’ artwork, free tickets to performances, and staff t-shirts are all great gifts for board members. It connects them to the organization in a very tangible way.
7. Write a personal note of thanks: This past holiday season, I got a handwritten card from a staff member of an organization where I volunteer and the note of thanks on it was so thoughtful, it so touched me, that I keep it on my desk today. I’ve just stepped up my commitment to that organization.
Challenge yourself to do one of these 7 things for your board members today. And then report back. We want to hear what happens!
