ENGAGE YOUR BOARD IN FUNDRAISING Sandy Rees, CFRE.

ENGAGE YOUR BOARD IN FUNDRAISING

Sandy Rees, CFRE

Today’s Outcomes

1. Ditch the myth of Boards.

2. Learn to take a supportive

role with your Board.

3. Learn how to help your

Board overcome their fear

of fundraising.

The Myth of Boards

When someone joins a Board:

• They know what to do• They know how to be a good Board

member• They will help with fundraising

Corollary to the Myth of Boards

Board members should be engaged by the wonderful mission of our organization and the great work we do.

“We showed them that video last Spring. What else do they want?”

Most Board members are…

• Inexperienced• Ignorant• Love the mission• Don’t know what to do

Why people say “yes” to your Board

• Care about the mission• Want to serve or give back• Want to rub elbows with other Board members• What else?

WIIFM

It’s all about

Engagement.

How to engage your Board

1. Mindset 2. Expectations 3. Ongoing Education4. Support

Communicate clearly

Lead from the chair

Mindset

What you think about is what you bring about.

Mindset

We get the Board we deserve.

A tale of two frogs

Manage expectations

Set the stage from the beginning

“You’ll be expected to participate in fundraising and make a gift.”

Educate them

Fundraising is about giving people the chance to partner with you.

It’s NOT about “hitting people up for money.”

Their idea of fundraising…

It’s about fear

RejectionFailure (or success)What others will thinkHumiliationMaking mistakesThe unknown

ConfrontationCriticismGetting hurtNot making budgetNot doing it rightNot fitting in

Then come the excuses

To avoid discomfort, they use excuses:

“I don’t have time to...”“I don’t know how to...”“That’s not what I signed up for.”“I already hit my friends up for…”

Help them understand

Baby steps

•Teach them how to speak ‘fundraising’ •Ask them to help in small specific ways, within their comfort zone• Go for the quick win!

I can do it! (with a little help…)

Support them

• Check in• Provide tools and materials• Celebrate wins!

Sandy Rees, CFRE

[email protected]

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