“Producing major change in an organization is not just about signing up one charismatic leader. You need a group – a team – to be able to drive the change. One person, even a terrific charismatic leader, is never strong enough to make all this happen.” ~John Kotter
Your Social Impact organization’s Board of Directors serves a vital function and is the driving force behind its success or failure. It establishes the vision and mission of the organization, oversees the financial operations, including budget setting, and supports the organization not only with donations of its own but by serving as the chief cheerleader and promoter in the community at large. Sounds like a lot of work, right? It certainly can be, but the good news is that your Board of Directors is probably motivated and ready to go. How do we know this? They’ve already self-identified as interested in the organization simply by agreeing to be on the board!
These innovative methods will be sure to spark your Board’s motivation and build their momentum.
Set Expectations for Board Members
The key differences between a decent, supportive board and an actively engaged board lie in the organization’s staff’s expectations and tasks. You can dramatically improve board engagement and success by partnering with your Board Chair in brief but candid conversations about expectations and some specific tasks that the board can help with.
Motivated board members are impactful board members. To keep them motivated, it helps to have expressly shared what you hope their roles can be. First, as they join the board, sit down individually to review the board’s culture of giving. This discussion is about more than writing a check. It’s about deepening your culture of philanthropy. Do you hope they will host one or two events on behalf of the organization this year? Tell them! Is it expected that they will buy a table at the annual gala? Show them last year’s program and explain what that event does and how their support matters. Do you expect them to make calls, write notes, or go on visits with the social impact organization’s executive staff? Talk about it!
Have Clear Goals & Roles for Each Member
Some organizations have developed a board performance document mutually agreed upon by the board of directors and the organization. It helps formalize the kinds of help you hope to receive from the Board member and clarifies expectations for all parties involved. Whether or not you decide to formalize a board member’s engagement with a scorecard, the only mistake you can make is to remain quiet and grow frustrated that your board doesn’t help. They have volunteered their time to be of service, so let them serve!
One easy way to help them be of service is to have a short workshop about the mission, vision, and critical aspects of the activities they can assist with. Use brainstorming sessions to craft individual elevator pitches or draft volunteers to role-play a prospect introduction or visit. Share these informational activities by email in short (less than 5 minutes) videos. Board members who can spread awareness of your social impact organization and compellingly represent its mission and values are essential advocates for you. They serve as fresh and unexpected voices of support who can increase fundraising simply by sharing the message that your organization is worthy of support!
Drive Home Your Organization’s Mission With the Board
Social impact organizations often overlook how powerful engaging with the board on small tasks to promote the mission beyond the boardroom can be. Remember the board joined to support and serve. You create a strong synergy when the organization’s staff leadership team partners with its board to outreach to the community. As this new partnership blossoms, the obstacles to reaching loyal supporters with new messages fall away. Soon your organization is engaging new prospects who are excited by the messages they hear from new voices.
