Board Members: The Crucial Element

Board members are crucial to the success of a nonprofit organization. They are the cheerleaders, the watchdogs, and the community connection. A campaign is not successful unless the Board leads the way with sacrificial gifts from 100 percent of the Board. They should lead with passion and their pocketbooks! When I conduct seminars, the most often complaint is the lack of interest (passion?) from board members. Many have served for years, lost interest, but do not want to disconnect totally.

New members should be recruited through an organized plan to share the mission, vision, and the expectations (including giving and attendance). Expectations should include 100 percent attendance, annual fund gift, major campaign support, and a planned gift. Lead by example.

We abuse our trustees way too much. Long boring meetings, weekend events, and precious time away from family find many board members slipping away and feeling guilty. Our job is to make their time on the board an exciting period in their life, a substantive social contribution, where they make a difference.

Strategic Planning is Really Fun!

I LOVE strategic planning as a process to clarify direction to an organization, provide clarity to staff on implementing mission and vision, and allow assessment of the board, the staff, and the overall organization. This does not have to be a complicated process with hundreds of goals and thousands of objectives stored in tabulated notebooks on a dusty shelf. A few simple goals, supported by a handfull of objectives and action steps (who, by when)...all measurable...and you have a roadmap for the future. Mission statement, vision statement, strategic plan, needs assessment, priorities, case statement...before long you are ready for a major gift campaign! Now all you need is a competent, ethical consultant!

Diversity of Revenue Sources Important

In the city in which I live, the United Way has just notified their agencies that, due to the decline in campaign results, all agency support will be cut by 50 percent. Suddenly the phone is ringing off the "wall." I have talked in seminars for months how important it is to diversify revenue sources...don't depend on one grant, one government agency, or just the United Way. Now some are understanding this logic in an up-close and personal way. The best fundraising prospects are still individuals. Of course, you can still diversify with federal and state grants, foundation support, merchandise sales, special events, and other activities, but the best bet over time is still individual support. Love your donors!