Building Successful and Engaging Boards The “Effectiveness Spectrum” Gina M. Fromer, MS Executive Coach & Organizational Consultant

The Effectiveness Spectrum - Board Highly Effective Baseline Effective Not Effective (functioning) Strategic Focus and Direction – understands vision Culture of self evaluation and accountability Healthy Attention to board development and recuitment Exceeds fundraising goals (100% board giving) High Participation levels Board governance Understands mission of the organization Minimal participation Meets fundraising goals, or not Some board members understand their roles others don’t Meet the requirements of an organizational board Coming to board meeting with no strategic direction Lack of use of the strengths of board members No fundraising or personal gifts by board members A “Yes –board” Board not bringing in new board members

Successful Board = Organizational Success Community Engagement – they are involved in the community Mission Movement - they understand the mission of the organization Capacity Building – looking for ways to build the organization Excitement for the Organization – They share stories Partnership with Leadership – In it together approach

Staff Leadership & The Board (The Partnership) Understand roles and responsibilities – by-laws Be a working board – effective committee structure Career matrix – know their strengths Board training – fundraising and governance Board recruitment - Onboarding new board members

Building a AAA Board What is a AAA Board? A board with this rating is one where every member is motivated to be an: Ambassador Advocate Asker AAA is a tool, ensuring follow through by staff and board leaders

Board “Ambassadors” Every board member needs to be an Ambassador: to make friends and build relationships – with and for the organization Ambassadors know the history of the organization and the elevator pitch Ambassadors understand organizational impact “stories” They are critical in cultivating new donors and interest in the organization

Board “Advocates” Advocates are constantly making the case (formal and informal) for the organization’s mission, and are key to recruitment of other volunteers They work to attain an outcome: very strategic in their information sharing; strong board recruiters They will go out and speak on your behalf in formal and informal settings, write letters, and act as sounding boards for your mission in the community Advocates are well coached on the impact of the organization

Board “Askers” Askers like making “the Ask” and can be viewed as front- line fundraisers Enjoy – and thrive on - asking others for time, treasure, and talent to support the organizational mission Askers like to be paired up with the leadership and/or other board members to solicit gifts Askers benefit from the work of the Ambassadors and the Advocates

The AAA Board- How do you know? Board members excel and begin to feel confident The board becomes a ”Working Board” where everyone is able to feel valued and see that things are getting done As Kay Sprinkel Grace notes in her book – The AAA Way to Fundraising and Maximizing Involvement - “As motivation increases, you may find them moving among the roles – even the Asker”! No one wants a “yes-board.” Leadership wants partners and thought leaders

As leaders, we grapple with these issues – quotes from actual ED’s Can’t find good board members Board doesn’t show up to meetings Can’t get them to donate, let alone ask for donations Some of the board members have been on too long; what do we do? They never ask questions, only agree with everything They joined the board for the ED, not the mission They don’t even know what we do How do I get millenials on the board? Not diverse enough They only come for the food

Take 10 minutes to talk to your neighbors and discuss solutions

What can you do? Emeritus board for long-term board members Strong board committee structure (where the work happens) Constant communication with the board leadership – prioritize time ED’s arrange monthly lunch or coffee with board members Offer training to them on “the Ask” – and seek out training yourself! Together, set your vision for the organization - understand mission to get you there Get together as a board - celebrate impact Make sure the board understands their roles and responsibilities Have fun! You are doing great work in and for communities

Thank you Resources: Kay Sprinkel Grace – The AAA Way to Fundraising Success: Maximum Involvement, Maximum Results BoardSource: Boardsource.org https://leadingwithintent.org/ Compass Point: Compasspoint.org