Board Engagement ~ Conversation Checklist


Many nonprofit leaders feel as if their board isn’t engaged *, or not as engaged as they’d like. On the flip side, many board members feel useless, like they want to do more, they just don’t know what to do and no one’s asking them.

So, how can we get our directors to go from sitting on a board, to serving the board?

It’s really quite simple. Talk to them! I invite you – either the head staff member or the board chair – to meet with board members one-on-one and find out how each member would like to be involved and at what level. The results may surprise you. Some board members will jump at the chance and some may not, but I believe they will all feel good about having had the conversation and the opportunity to be heard.

Here's a list of questions or conversation starters you might want to use in these conversations:
  • What first attracted you to our organization?
  • What’s the biggest challenge you feel our organization is facing?
    • And what suggestions do you have for resolving it?
  • What are you hoping to do/accomplish during your time on our board?
    • What tools and resources would you need in order to make that happen?
  • What do you think about the way our board meetings are conducted? 
    • If you were in my position, what would you do differently?
  • What other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
    • Can you think of an example of how we can weave that into one of our projects or programs?
  • Aside from attending board meetings, how much time would you like to spend volunteering with our organization to help advance our programs/projects/events?
  • What one thing that we’re doing right now excites you the most?
    • How would you like to use your skills/passions to enhance that thing?
  • What other feedback do you have for me that might help elevate the level of effectiveness of our organization?
Notice that I used “our organization” a lot. It’s intentional. It’s important that board members feel a sense of ownership over the organization and inclusion in what that organization is doing. Any language you can use that makes your board members feel like they’re appreciated and that their ideas are welcome will be helpful. The more they share with you the more you’ll be able to determine how they can put their fabulous knowledge, skills, passions, and energy to use for the improvement of your organization.

*Link is to my YouTube video on the same subject.

 

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