Engage your board Beth Olson bolson@firstwitness

ENGAGE YOUR BOARD BETH OLSON

BOLSON@FIRSTWITNESS.ORG

Who’s here today On a board?

A director or other staff member in a non-profit working with a board?

Other?

The big questions What do you need from your board?

(Your top 3)

What do you need as a board member? (Your top 3)

What things are a waste of time?

Community Organizing Think of something you have

organized…..

What did you do to make it successful?

What people need to volunteer

Feel connected (person, issue, belief or value)

Confidence – comes from support, clear vision

Feel they have something to contribute – contributions are important/valuable

Willingness to do it – know what is expected

Improve connectedness Recruitment – identify their connection

Orientation – welcome them with a ritual, process

Regular meeting sub-committees

Office atmosphere

Improve confidence Clearly outline the organizations vision

and mission (At orientation and every year)

Pose mission questions clearly and often

Who is their support? How are they supported?

Increasing Valuable Contributions Recruitment of board members – what

do they have to contribute and what do you need

Ask them for help with issues that match their skills

Recognizing the value - more than annual board recognition

Boards: An On-going Investment Just like organizing around an issue

Times of great gain

Times you take steps back

Cyclical nature of boards – you will need different things at different times