Optimizing Board Performance Webinar Slides
- 1. Optimizing Board Performance: Attract, Engage & Assess Client Subheading Roo Solutions July 19, 2011
- 2. About the Council… Mission: Mobilize informed Host: Jenna Salinas, donors and accountable Charities Review Council nonprofits for the greater good. Accountability Standards (Public Disclosure, Governance, Financial Activity, Fundraising) Accountability Wizard for nonprofits Resources for informed giving www.smartgivers.org
- 3. WELCOME KELLY! Guest Presenter: Kelly Rietow, Roo Solutions
- 4. Agenda Session Objectives Marketing Your Opportunities Orientation and Onboarding Accountability Ongoing Engagement Board Performance Appraisal Closing and next steps
- 5. Board Membership Motivators Passion for the mission – critical success factor Personally involved with the organization Professional or personal relationships Build his/her resume Challenges & Opportunities Want to help Don’t always know what they are signing up for Unfamiliar with skills required and time commitment Limited orientation
- 7. Marketing your opportunities Similar to a job posting Roles & Responsibilities Required skills Time Commitment Success strategies Find the right audience MCN, MAP, LinkedIn, current / past volunteers or beneficiaries of services Write well Up front expectations Make it sizzle
- 8. Board Opening Sample - Poor ABC, Inc is in search of a board member with CFO or other relevant financial experience. Must attend quarterly board meetings and represent ABC at community events. Fundraising is a requirement. Diversity candidates encouraged.
- 9. Board Opening Sample - Better Join ABC, Inc. in our mission to end the cycle of poverty for children and families in the Twin Cities and beyond. As a board member, you will play an key role in developing our strategic plan, and furthering our ability to serve. You will have the opportunity to build collaboration and leadership skills, personally influence donors, and x, y, z. The ideal board member has a passion for our mission, a willingness to dedicate 5 – 8 hours per month and actively participate in community events. Diversity of thought and life experiences are essential for success. Candidates with talents and experience with fundraising, financial management or marketing in particular would bring tremendous assets to our board.
- 10. Board Opening - Best Title + Tag Line Gain interest Compelling story Appeal to audience interest Know your audience What is important to them Know your organization Who fits Know what you need Key skills Success criteria
- 11. Screening Particular skills Fit Accountability Personal gifts to share STAR Criteria Specific Time-based Action taken Result
- 12. Orientation & Accountability Nuts & Bolts
- 13. Key components Role Statement Organizational Knowledge Commitment Accountability
- 14. Role Statements Purpose What we do Role clarity Why it matters Define qualifications Set expectations Who can do it Describes successful performance Focus How we do it Task and results What success Performance factors looks like Common criteria – all employees / volunteers Role specific criteria Relationships Values / mission
- 15. Board Member Role Statement Role Specifics Responsibilities Role is…. - governance Time commitment - strategy Qualifications Role is not… Mission - operations - managing Impact Alignment Values How work is accomplished
- 16. Board Member Role Statement Board Member Role Statement.docx
- 17. Organizational Knowledge – Board Member Orientation History & mission Constituents served Format: Organizational structure •1:1 with Board Chair or ED •Handouts Strategic priorities Financial picture Board roster Conflict of interest
- 18. Commitment Board Meeting Expectations Attendance Participation Preparation Procedural matters Fundraisers and events Engagement Legal responsibilities & Liability concerns
- 19. The Four C’s of Accountability™ Communication Connection Accountability Clarity Commitment
- 20. The Four Cs of Accountability Communication Ongoing, dialogue, mutual understanding Clarity Importance, Expectations, Outcomes Commitment Follow through, results Connection Between people, tie to organizational need
- 21. Onboarding A process, not an event
- 22. Onboarding Strategies E.D. meet with board member before / after first board meeting What to expect debrief 1:1 with Board Chair Relationship building Expectations review Assign a boot camp “buddy” Norms Practices Questions
- 23. Onboarding: 30-90–180 check ins 30 day Clarification: role, responsibilities Debrief: 1st board meeting experience Reaffirm decision to join board 90 day Effectiveness of orientation process What worked What didn’t work Explore concerns or surprises 180 day: suggestions for improvement
- 25. Engagement – beyond the board meeting Occasional invitations Company meetings & luncheons Organizational events Share letters and thank you notes Recognition Board Member newsletter contributions Why I volunteer Impact of service Commitment to mission
- 26. Engagement: Regular Rhythm Standardized meeting time / date Meeting intention: discuss, inform, decide Common practices Opening tradition – e.g., share stakeholder story Closing tradition – e.g., meeting highs / lows, commitments Clarity Decisions made Action items: who, what, when
- 27. Meeting format BOD meeting agenda short.doc
- 29. Performance Assessment Challenges Limited relationship outside of board meeting Assessing “volunteers” Tying meeting attendance to mission Discomfort providing feedback
- 30. Self assessment (personal reflection) How is your role as a board member contributing to the success of the organization and its mission? Am I prepared for meetings and do I participate? I am comfortable disagreeing, raising questions and expressing concerns? Do I promote the organization to others? Am I offering my best thoughts, ideas, and actions to board service? Would you recommend board service to others?
- 31. Board Effectiveness Assessment What is working / not working as a board? Are we focused on the “right things”? If not, what needs to change? What should we start / stop / continuing doing? Are board members prepared and engaged? Does our structure encourage discussion and debate for the betterment of the organization? How well is our board contributing to the success of the organization and its mission?
- 32. Assessment strategies Self assessment Handout during board meeting Share personal reflection and commitments at next board meeting Board assessment Handout during board meeting, share thoughts and brainstorm improvements next meeting; or Use survey monkey / outside party to gather the information; present at board meeting Do something with the information!
- 33. Success Factors
- 34. Success Factors Role Clarity Clear objectives Approved governance policies / procedures Standardized templates for repeating processes Fit skills to board role More dialogue than presentation Periodic “pulse check” – board member feedback Accountability
- 35. Reflection Key learning(s) What will you do differently “back at the office” Who will hold you accountable?
- 36. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 763.228.8496 Kelly Rietow, Principal www.roosolutions.net
- 37. Thank You! Next FREE webinar Aug. 23rd: “Do Your Programs Work? Learn How to Evaluate Impact!” www.smartgivers.org/nonprofit_events Jenna Salinas Nonprofit Services Coordinator jsalinas@smartgivers.org 651-224-7030 x16 Your feedback is important! Please complete the survey following today’s webinar.