AITA ConferenceAITA ConferenceAFP InstituteAFP Institute

Board DevelopmentBoard DevelopmentJoey WallaceJoey Wallace

RESNA/NATTAPRESNA/NATTAPJanuary 24, 2007January 24, 2007

Expectations for the Expectations for the MorningMorning

Open DiscussionOpen Discussion

Shared ExamplesShared Examples

Ideas and Materials to take backIdeas and Materials to take back

Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered

Board RecruitmentBoard Recruitment

Board OrganizationBoard Organization

Board DevelopmentBoard Development

Board FundraisingBoard Fundraising

Building PartnershipsBuilding Partnerships

Board Development is a Board Development is a Moving TargetMoving Target

Your Board is your BoardYour Board is your Board

We are all in a different place and phase:We are all in a different place and phase:(Start up, operational, growth)(Start up, operational, growth)

Try to pick the priorities and areas most relevant Try to pick the priorities and areas most relevant and return with several objectives to work onand return with several objectives to work on

Board/Committee ComparisonBoard/Committee ComparisonGoverning Boards areGoverning Boards are::

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Required by statute to discharge Required by statute to discharge legal and ethical responsibilities legal and ethical responsibilities that cannot be delegatedthat cannot be delegated

Typically governing incorporated Typically governing incorporated entitiesentities

Made up of members legally Made up of members legally charged with responsibilitycharged with responsibility

Accountable to multiple Accountable to multiple stakeholders including the stakeholders including the public interestpublic interest

Decision making bodiesDecision making bodies

Advisory Committees are:Advisory Committees are: Established by government or by Established by government or by

an organizationan organization Typically subgroups of Typically subgroups of

incorporated entities, reporting to incorporated entities, reporting to governing boards or CEOgoverning boards or CEO

Made up of members who typically Made up of members who typically serve as advisors to supplement serve as advisors to supplement work of board, staff or otherswork of board, staff or others

Made up of members who are Made up of members who are accountable to the organization accountable to the organization they advise, external agencies they advise, external agencies that authorize the Committee, or that authorize the Committee, or other parties as specifiedother parties as specified

Advisory bodiesAdvisory bodies

What are our Program What are our Program Strengths to recruit Potential Strengths to recruit Potential

Board Members?Board Members? Clear missionClear mission

Specific target populationSpecific target population

Statewide outreachStatewide outreach

Little competitionLittle competition

Few if any Board requirements (membership, tenure, Few if any Board requirements (membership, tenure, etc.)etc.)

What are our program What are our program barriers?barriers?

Limited fundsLimited funds

Invisible clienteleInvisible clientele

Program RestraintsProgram Restraints

Low VisibilityLow Visibility

RecruitmentRecruitment

How can a Board member influence How can a Board member influence these barriers? these barriers?

What expectations should we hold for What expectations should we hold for Board membersBoard members??

Key functions that influence short and long term Board

performance?Disability representationFundraising capacityMarketing expertiseLegal perspectivesLegislative influenceAccounting/Audit awarenessVendor contacts

Define a “Dream Team”Define a “Dream Team”Pursue with deliberation people who share Pursue with deliberation people who share

the organization’s:the organization’s: MotivationsMotivations ValuesValues ExperiencesExperiences Skills to help the organization reach the Skills to help the organization reach the

desired level of excellencedesired level of excellence

Board Member Profile

Desired Characteristics Current Members Prospective Members

All Members should have:

Demonstrated interest before nomination

Willingness to serve as Ambassador

Experience with assistive technology

Previous Board service

Able to attend meetings

Known as a good decision maker

All Members should have one or more of these:

Sensitivity to disability

Knowledge of non-profit Board protocol

Specialized knowledge of a component of program mission

Helps balance the Board by disability representation

Helps balance the Board by geographic representation

Helps balance the Board by ethnicity

Helps balance the Board by lifespan representation

Experience in Marketing

Has network of donor prospects

Leadership in another organization important to our mission

Board DevelopmentBoard Development

HomeworkHomework

Challenge each Board member to Challenge each Board member to come up with 3 personal indicators of come up with 3 personal indicators of success for your Board.success for your Board.

Sub-Committees for Sub-Committees for ConsiderationConsideration

Standing CommitteesStanding Committees Executive Executive Finance, Audit and ComplianceFinance, Audit and Compliance Marketing and OutreachMarketing and Outreach Personnel and NominationsPersonnel and Nominations

Advisory CommitteesAdvisory Committees Special Ad Hoc Committees – specific task Special Ad Hoc Committees – specific task

oriented (ex: Loan Review Committee)oriented (ex: Loan Review Committee)

Individual Board Member Self-EvaluationUse the following questions for individual board member evaluation. For board members

answering yes to these questions, they are likely to be fulfilling their responsibilities as board members.

Yes No Not Sure

1. Do I understand and support the mission of the organization?

2. Am I knowledgeable about the organization’s programs and services?

3. Do I follow trends and important developments related to this organization?

4. Do I assist with fundraising and/or give a significant annual gift to the organization?

5. Do I read and understand the organization’s financial statements?

6. Do I have a good working relationship with the chief executive?

7. Do I recommend individuals for service to this board?

8. Do I prepare for and participate in board meetings and committee meetings?

9. Do I act as a good-will ambassador to the organization?

10. Do I find serving on the board to be a satisfying and rewarding experience?

Board RecruitmentBoard Recruitment

Define the jobDefine the job Agree on the profile of the future Agree on the profile of the future

BoardBoard Develop qualifications for servingDevelop qualifications for serving Adopt a plan to identify and nurture Adopt a plan to identify and nurture

future prospectsfuture prospects

Board Development and Board Development and RetentionRetention

Formal Orientation ProcessFormal Orientation Process Include in AT event/activityInclude in AT event/activity Mentoring SystemMentoring System Self-AssessmentSelf-Assessment Overall Board Development PlanOverall Board Development Plan Assign to Committee or WorkgroupAssign to Committee or Workgroup Annual RetreatAnnual Retreat

New Board Member OrientationNew Board Member Orientation ChecklistChecklist 1.1. Organization’s history and missionOrganization’s history and mission

1.1. Role and expectations of membersRole and expectations of members

2.2. Bylaws, budget, policies, current membersBylaws, budget, policies, current members

3.3. Strategic plan, major goalsStrategic plan, major goals

4.4. Staff introductionsStaff introductions

5.5. Briefing on program strategies and resultsBriefing on program strategies and results

6.6. Introduction to committees and advisory groupsIntroduction to committees and advisory groups

7.7. Calendar of meetings and eventsCalendar of meetings and events

8.8. Other organizational informationOther organizational information

9.9. Review of audits, contracts, etc.Review of audits, contracts, etc.

10.10. OtherOther

Individual donations by Board membersIndividual donations by Board members Active participation in fundraising Active participation in fundraising

development with staffdevelopment with staff Role of the Executive DirectorRole of the Executive Director Recruit Board members willing to Recruit Board members willing to

pursue fundraising developmentpursue fundraising development

Fundraising Fundraising ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

FundraisingFundraising

HomeworkHomework

Complete chart on Donation Complete chart on Donation PlanningPlanning

PartnershipsPartnerships

Internal to the BoardInternal to the Board - CBO and Lead Entity- CBO and Lead Entity - CBO and Lender- CBO and Lender

External to the BoardExternal to the Board

- - CBO and Disability CommunityCBO and Disability Community - CBO and Fundraising Community- CBO and Fundraising Community