1. Board Development Cycle
Identify
Evaluate
Cultivate
Rotate
Celebrate
Recruit
Educate
Orient
Engage

2. Board Development Cycle
Step 1: Identify board needs (skills, knowledge, influence, diversity, etc., needed to implement the strategy). Identify sources of board members with the needed characteristics.
Step 2: Cultivate potential board members. Elicit interest.
Step 3: Recruit prospects. Track recruitment process.
Step 4: Orient new board members to the organization – mission, programs, history, bylaws, challenges, fundraising
Step 5: Engage all board members. Involve them in committees or key initiatives. Express appreciation regularly. 1

3. The Board Development Cycle, cont’d
Step 6: Educate the board. Provide ongoing information concerning the mission, and issues facing the organization.
Step 7: Rotate board members. Establish and use term limits. Do not automatically re-elect for an additional term. Consider resigning members who are not active. Develop new leadership.
Step 8: Evaluate the board and individual board members.
Step 9: Celebrate! Recognize success and progress. 2