Building the Board Bench (BoardSource Webinar)

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BUILDING THE BENCHBOARD RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

BoardSourceFebruary 22, 2016Emily Davis, MNM

President, Emily Davis ConsultingBoardSource, Senior Governance Consultant



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TURN ON YOUR TECH

@BoardSource@AskEmilyD#governance



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LET’S GET STARTED

QUESTION? CHALLENGE!



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POLL QUESTION: WHO HAS…

qA defined recruitment process?qA regular recruitment

calendar?qA governance and/or

nominating committee leading the process?

qThe ED/CEO leading the process?



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BOARD ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES



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1. Determine mission & purpose

2. Select the chief executive

3. Support & evaluate the chief executive

4. Ensure effective planning

5. Monitor & strengthen programs & services

6. Ensure adequate financial resources

7. Protect assets & provide financial oversight

8. Build a competent board

9. Ensure legal & ethical integrity

10.Enhance the organization’s public standing

10 BASIC BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES



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RECRUITMENT

Great board member retention begins with a great recruitment process!



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Why do we join?

What scares

us?

Why would

we leave?

Why do we stay?



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• Passion for mission• Organizational lifecycle

stage• How many boards will you

sit on?• Board terms• Type of board • Board size, demographics• Financial support• Clarity of expectations

PERSONAL PLANNING



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WHERE DO YOU FIND CANDIDATES?



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LEADING THE PROCESS



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Identify

Cultivate

Recruit

Orient

Involve

Educate

Evaluate

Rotate

CELEBRATE!



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TIMELINE

• Review docs & past recruitment• Design self-evalMonth 1

• Conduct self-eval & demo matrix• Design application, interview questions & outreach

messagingMonth 2

• Add to website• Share with networksMonth 3

• Schedule & conduct interviews• Invite to board meetingMonth 4

• Host at board meeting• Make recommendationsMonth 5

•Inform candidates•Schedule orientation•Intro board buddies

Month 6

• Debrief process• Gather feedbackMonth 7



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STEP BY STEP

Evaluation Application Expectations Outreach

Vetting Candidate Approval Wrap Up Debrief



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RETENTION & ENGAGEMENT



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WHAT MAKES ‘EM TICK

•Always YES•Wants to help everyone & everything

•Caution!

OVER-COMMITTED

•Needs lots to stay engaged

•Don’t let them sit around

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

•Verbal & print

•Use titles & acknowledgment

LIKES RECOGNITION

•Stays focused & on track•Great for events•May get discouraged by others’ lack of support

ORGANIZER

• Lots of ideas for improvement

• Pair with an Organizer to keep things moving

CREATIVE

*Abigail Harmon



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ORIENTATION



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BOARD CULTURE



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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TrainingsAssociations

Practice leadership



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MEETING PREPARATION



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BOARD MEETING TIPS

Governance

• Board reports• Strategic

priorities/goals• Mission moments• Ask questions• Avoid

micromanagement

Facilitation

• Consent agendas• Shared

responsibilities• Giving

accountability• Follow up

Participants

• Guests, Staff• CEO• Board members• Honor time



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IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU

How does this serve the mission?Does it fit our strategic goals?

What’s our capacity?What does success look like?

Keep it high level!



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COMMUNICATION

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue, with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.”

- Dr. Jane Goodall



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RECOGNITION



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TAKE AWAY & COMMITMENT



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Emily Davis, MNMEmily Davis Consulting

(720) [email protected]

emilydavisconsulting.com

Government & Nonprofit

Building the Board Bench (BoardSource Webinar)