Joe McLennan and La Sridhar April 19 th, 2012. Board Excitement & Tension Points 6 Tips on Effective Board Engagement Transformational Trends on.

Joe McLennan and La SridharApril 19th, 2012

Board Excitement & Tension Points

6 Tips on Effective Board Engagement

Transformational Trends on the “New” Board

3 Questions to Take Back to Your Board

McLennan Partners"Provocative questions, transformative responses..."

President and Founder, ResearchSense◦ The Smart Approach to Asking and Giving!

15 years of non-profit and for-profit experience in strategy, marketing and market research

Both sides of the aisle-fundraising and marketing

Managing Partner for firm that serves Boards and senior staff of wide array of nonprofits

Prior experience in career and leadership development consulting and coaching

Former CEO of employers association

McLennan Partners"Provocative questions, transformative responses..."

Courtesy: ResearchSense 2012

“We get the boards we deserve”--Gail Perry

Three key reasons for joining

◦Passion for social change

◦Personal and business networking

◦Tradition and family legacy

High level of satisfaction and experience!

◦Influence to Impact

◦Connections to Grow

◦Teams to Kinship

Very rational and “fixable”

◦ Unsure of their role

◦ Under-utilized in their role

◦ Unconnected and transactional

◦ Ineffective use of time

◦ Inadequate resources

1. Remove the ambiguity

2. Make it compelling

3. Build trust and board kinship

4. Conversations vs. Communication

5. Don’t spring surprises

6. Build an intentional presence

Courtesy: ResearchSense 2012

1. Remove the ambiguity-start clear: -Honest and clear expectations on goals and objectives -A thought-out orientation process. It starts at the interview process. -Have a learning plan ready when they start

-Create a buddy system

Make it compelling -Help them make it their priority

-Make it fulfilling and not their “day job”-Capture individual aspirations and

goals Courtesy: ResearchSense 2012

4. Build trust and board kinship-Team & Networking opportunities

(sans staff)

-An inspiring board chair for engagement

-Let them own the process -Have fun!

4. Conversations vs. communication -Be “ALL” ears-Ask, Listen, Learn-3Ps of partnership- priorities, people, persuasion

Courtesy: ResearchSense 2012

5. Don’t spring surprises-Have a clear individualized giving plan

(and track it) -Don’t let it get to a crisis mode (goes into fundraising)-too late in the game -Openness and honesty helps “dull” the pain

6. Create an intentional presence-Don’t be out of sight; out of mind-Have a board communication plan; be

present on a regular basis-You have to be their top “me” choice-

are you?

Courtesy: ResearchSense 2012

Transparency… Trust Accountability… Authenticity Leadership… Legacy Evaluation… Ethics

Issue Old New

Board role

Receiver of reports

Active thinker and strategist around key organizational issues

Board Orientation

Non-existent or poorly done

Begins with recruitment is ongoing and annual for all members

Board Chair term

One and done (thankfully)

Multiple years to leverage the relationships and experience 15

Issue Old New

Board Experience

“Sliding in at 7:29 next to the person I always sit next to.”

“What attracted? What keeps you? What strengths do you bring?”

Problem Solution

“Get rid of the ED, or Chair, or Development Director”

Assess and change the system including your culture

Brand Participatio

n

“What brand? That’s not my job.,”

Training and support to be the “brand ambassador”

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Issue Old New

Fundraising focus Transactional. Events for the sake of events “…because we always have”

“Mission driven” The development and maintenance of a long relationships

Understanding of Why People Gave

Unknown and uncared about… “we’re only going to ask this one time.”

Studied and analyzed. Opportunities for giving are crafted to meet interests.

Financial goals Break even was good enough

Making a surplus is crucial.

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for the Board Member

Attend meetings Participate in meetings Be fiscally responsible Be good team member Support events Help with planning Serve 3 year term Be a good ambassador Evaluate progress

for the Nonprofit

Ensure a good use of time Provide training to do so Teach financial practices Orient to what’s expected Introduce to the role Involve in planning process Provide inspiration Provide the tools Provide help to do so

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1. Preparation…Are we ready to recruit?2. Assessment...Who is ready to be recruited?3. Recruitment…”Are you interested?”4. Selection…Are you ready?5. Nomination…We think you are ready.6. Election…We confirm your readiness.7. Orientation…”Here is your mentor.”8. Learning and Development…It’s ongoing.9. Evaluation…It’s Ongoing too.

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“The most important qualification of nonprofit Board members should be that they care for the nonprofit.

This means that they care for all of the people and businesses that the nonprofit touches, and that they are determined to make that caring count.”

adapted from Robert Greenleaf, Servant Leadership