Strategic Board Recruitment: A Key to Building a Dynamic Board · 2019. 10. 24. · Title: Strategic Board Recruitment: A Key to Building a Dynamic Board Author: NIQCA Subject: Strategic

Experts OnlineDecember 14, 2005

Strategic Board Recruitment:Strategic Board Recruitment:A Key to Building a Dynamic BoardA Key to Building a Dynamic Board

Strategic Board Recruitment

A Key to Building a Dynamic Board

An Experts Online Webcast presented by theLISC Organizational Development Initiative

About today’s presentersNida Donor

Nida Donar is a faculty member at the Wayne State University in Detroit and a retired Executive Director of Citizens for Better Care, a non-profit

advocacy agency for residents of nursing homes, adult foster care homes, assisted living programs and homes for the aged. She has

directed non-profit agencies for over 30 years, helping to build strong boards at various organizations, while also writing a booklet on building

active boards. She is a Eureka Fellow awarded by the Kellogg Foundation.

Daraus MirzaDaraus Mirza is a senior program officer in LISC’s Organizational

Development Initiative, and leads the Capacity Mapping Project. Daraus is also responsible for all of ODI’s Board Governance

programming, and the creation of a number of highly acclaimed training and technical assistance resources for CDC staff and boards.

2005 LISC Organizational Development Initiative

Presentation Objectives

What do we want from a board member?What roadmap do we use to recruit?Where do we begin the search?Why do boards flourish?What causes boards to fail?What are some resources?


Snap Poll

In your organization, who takes the lead role for identifying and recruiting new board members?

Board MembersExecutive Director and/or StaffNo one in particular


What Do We Want from a Board

Member?


Liabilities of Membership

Duty of CareDuty of LoyaltyDuty of Obedience

*source: Board Source


Expectations of Membership

Determine the organization’s mission and purposeSelect, support and evaluate the CEOProvide adequate resourcePromote the organizationMaintain legal and ethical integrityRecruit and orient new board members and evaluate board performance


Tools

Who do we want on our Board?People who are knowledgeable and interested in our issues;People who will donate, solicit, or provide in-kind financial support;People who will attend meetings and agency functions;People who work well with others and have good ideas.


Perks of Membership

Promote the causeGain recognitionSupport friends and colleagues Participate in communityResume enhancement


Road Map for Recruitment


Recruitment Road Map What new directions has our organization gone in recently? More funding? Less funding? New programs?Are we stalled at an intersection? Do we need a new direction?Can a little tune up make the engine go faster or is it time for a complete overhaul? Is it time for strategic planning?


Snap Poll

Is there a board committee for nominating or identifying new members or a formal process in your organization?

yesnonot sure


Where Do We Look?

The board skills you need to add will determine where to look.

Start with the familiar face; colleagues, former clients, consultants, other boardsExperience vs. enthusiasm, where is the balance?Growing your own board members, can a committee structure be a recruitment tools?


A Sample Board Profile Matrix

Human Resources / Personnel

Marketing / Public Relations /Media

Legal

Fundraising

Real Estate Development

Financial Management

Prospective Member: [name]




Background / Experience ▼


A Few Other Considerations…

Diversity:AgeGenderEthnicity

Connection to the community (resident or business owner, etc.)Knowledge of how get things done in the local environmentPast Experience on nonprofit boards


Additional TipsMaintain an ongoing list of potential candidatesEngage interested individuals and targeted prospects through a board committeesImplement an annual board self-assessment process to identify needs within the boardInstitute a policy regarding term-limits for board membersHave a formal structure for the identification and orientation of new board members


Roles of a Nomination Committee (a few examples)

Monitor the current board compositionIdentify, recruit, and prepare new membersDevelop orientation material for new board members


Sample New Board Member Orientation Checklist

X7. Calendar of meetings and events

8. Other:

X6. Committee assignments and orientation

X5. Organization’s programs and services

X4. Strategic and/or multi-year plan, major annual goals

X3. Bylaws, current budget, list of current board member list, committee structure

X2. Role and expectations of board members (board job description; fiduciary responsibilities, etc.)

X1. Organization’s history and mission

When?By Whom?

After Joining

Before Joining

Item

Adopted from the Nonprofit Board Answer Book (from Board Source)


Sample Agenda for New Board Member OrientationWelcome

History and OverviewOperations

Organizational InfrastructureOrg. Policies & Procedures

BudgetFinancial InformationBudget Development ProcessRelated Entities

Programs & ServicesHousing Support ServicesAfter School CareOther

Tour of Development SitesHousing Development

OverviewCurrent Projects

Resource DevelopmentFundraising and PRBoard Member Roles and Responsibilities

Board Operations and Nominations

Board PoliciesBoard CommitteesBoard member Roles and Responsibilities


Why Do Boards Flourish?


Why Do Boards Flourish?

Clear understanding of role of boardAnnual self-evaluation of board membersCommunications, communicationsPart of a successful teamRespect for diverse opinions Celebrating victories


Benefits of Board Self-Evaluation

Offers an opportunity to step back and reflect upon board’s own effectivenessAllows reallocation or assignment of specific dutiesHelps identify perceptions and opinions among membersHelps isolate areas that the members think need improvementIncreases the level of board member team-workClarifies mutual board/staff expectationsDemonstrates that accountability is highly valuedProvides credibility with funders and other outside stakeholdersPresents a structure for problem solving Results from the self-assessment can be used as a springboard for board improvement


Why Do Boards Fail?

Misunderstanding the roleInability to take responsibilityBurn out and lack of board rotationInability to work as a teamCompetition with CEO


Some Final Thoughts


ResourcesThe Non-Profit Internet Handbook

by Gary M. Grobman, Gary B. GrantTable of contents at

www.socialworker.com/nonprofit/npinter.htm

Nonprofit Board Answer Bookby Robert C. Andringa, Ted W. EngstromInformation at www.boardsource.org


http://www.socialworker.com/nonprofit/npinter.htm

http://www.boardsource.org

Internet ResourcesBoard Source (formerly NCNB)

www boardsource.org (sign-up for free e-newsletter)Board Café (from CompassPoint )

www.compasspoint.org (sign-up for free e-newsletter)Community Driven Institute (Help 4 NonProfits & Tribes)

www.help4nonprofits.com (sign up for free e-newsletter)Free Management Library (Complete Toolkit for Boards)

www.managementhelp.org/boards/boards.htmMinnesota Council of Nonprofits

www.mncn.org/info_govern.htmLISC Online Resource Library

www.lisc.org/resources/


http://www.compasspoint.org

http://www.help4nonprofits.com

http://www.managementhelp.org/boards/boards.htm

http://www.mncn.org/info_govern.htm

http://www.lisc.org/resources/

Contact Information

Nida [email protected]

Daraus Mirza,[email protected]


For a list of upcoming webcasts, visit: www.lisc.org/resources/experts/

Have suggestions for topics? Send an email to: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.lisc.org/resources/experts/


Documents

Strategic Board Recruitment: A Key to Building a Dynamic Board · 2019. 10. 24. · Title: Strategic Board Recruitment: A Key to Building a Dynamic Board Author: NIQCA Subject: Strategic