“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.” – Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google
Hello, Change Champion! Today, I want to talk to you about a crucial aspect of nonprofit organizations that often gets forgotten: keeping your board members engaged between board meetings.
As a consultant who helps nonprofit leaders thrive in chaos, I have seen firsthand the benefits of maintaining a close relationship with board members beyond the usual meetings. Board members are an integral part of a nonprofit organization’s success, and keeping them engaged and informed can make all the difference in achieving your organization’s goals.
Why keep your board members engaged between meetings?
First and foremost, keeping your board members engaged between meetings allows them to stay connected to your organization’s mission and goals. One of the primary benefits of keeping board members engaged between meetings is to keep them connected to the organization’s mission and goals. Research shows that a shared understanding of an organization’s mission and goals among board members is crucial to its success (Cummings & Bromiley, 1996). Furthermore, a study by Brown and Caylor (2014) found that board member involvement in the development of the organization’s mission and strategic planning leads to better performance.
To keep board members connected to the organization’s mission and goals, nonprofit leaders can share regular updates and progress reports. For example, a study by BoardEffect (2015) found that regular communication with board members, including progress reports and metrics, led to increased engagement and more effective board meetings.
By providing regular updates on your nonprofit’s progress, challenges, and upcoming initiatives, board members can better understand their roles and responsibilities and make informed decisions that align with the organization’s vision.
Additionally, maintaining a close relationship with board members can foster a sense of community and collaboration within your nonprofit organization. Another benefit of keeping board members engaged between meetings is the opportunity for them to provide valuable insights and perspectives. Board members bring diverse experiences and expertise, and their input can help nonprofit organizations make better decisions and improve performance.
Research has shown that board diversity leads to better performance (Erhardt et al., 2003; Daily & Dalton, 1992). Additionally, a study by Certo et al. (2001) found that board members with diverse backgrounds and experiences have a positive impact on organizational performance.
To leverage the insights and perspectives of board members, nonprofit leaders can create opportunities for them to provide feedback and participate in discussions outside of formal board meetings. For example, a study by the Stanford Social Innovation Review (2017) found that nonprofit leaders who solicited board member feedback and perspectives outside of formal meetings had more engaged and effective boards.
Board members can provide valuable insights and perspectives that can help your organization navigate through uncertain times.
A third benefit of keeping board members engaged between meetings is the potential to mitigate conflicts and misunderstandings. When board members are disconnected or uninformed, they may not fully understand the organization’s operations or decision-making processes, which can lead to confusion and conflict.
Research has shown that effective communication among board members is critical to reducing conflict (Jackson, 2011). Additionally, a study by BoardSource (2015) found that a lack of communication between the board and CEO was one of the most common reasons for ineffective boards.
To mitigate potential conflicts and misunderstandings, nonprofit leaders can foster a culture of transparency and open communication. This can include regular updates on organization operations and decision-making processes, as well as creating opportunities for board members to ask questions and provide feedback.
Now that we’ve established the importance of keeping board members engaged between meetings let’s dive into some practical tips for achieving this goal:
Create a Communication Plan: To keep your board members informed, create a regular communication plan that outlines what information will be shared, when, and how. This could include monthly newsletters, updates on social media, or regular emails from the executive director.
Leverage Technology: Use technology to keep board members connected, even when they can’t physically be present. This could include video conferencing for remote meetings, collaboration tools like Slack or Trello, or a shared online platform for accessing important documents and information.
Assign Action Items: At the end of each board meeting, assign action items to individual board members to follow up on and report back at the next meeting. This ensures that everyone is actively involved in advancing your organization’s goals.
Invite Board Members to Attend Events: Invite board members to attend fundraising events, volunteer activities, and other community engagement opportunities. This not only keeps them engaged but also allows them to network and build relationships with other members of the community.
Encourage Feedback: Encourage board members to share feedback and ideas on how to improve the organization’s operations and activities. This can be done through regular surveys, focus groups, or informal check-ins.
Keeping board members engaged between meetings is critical to the success of nonprofit organizations. By staying connected to the organization’s mission and goals, providing valuable insights and perspectives, and mitigating potential conflicts and misunderstandings, board members can become essential partners in achieving the organization’s goals. Research studies have shown that regular communication, board diversity, and effective communication among board members are all key factors in achieving these benefits.
Thanks for reading. As always, please share your comments about the post. If you’re interested in diving deeper, here’s an article and a book that I recommend:
” Best Practices for Improving Board Member Communications” by BoardEffect – This article provides tips and best practices for effective board communication, including strategies for regular updates and managing communication during crises.
“The Nonprofit Board Answer Book: A Practical Guide for Board Members and Chief Executives” by BoardSource – This book provides practical guidance on board communication strategies and best practices for nonprofit organizations.
