TAKE A WALK

Some days are good.  Some not so.  Sometimes, things are really good.  Often, there is no rhyme or reason for the way I feel.  Just biorhythms.  And on the days when I feel not so wonderful, the best thing I can do is take a long walk.

In truth, even on days when things are great, walks are my favorite thing.  Ideally, I would walk somewhere beautiful or interesting, but as long as there are ups and downs, I am generally happy.  Though in a pinch, just a long walk on a straightway will do.

Often, however, I can’t take a walk.  I’m stuck in meetings, online or in person.  Or I have something that is due by the end of the day and I just cannot procrastinate any longer.

Procrastination is another way I sometimes deal with things aren’t making me happy.  But that generally doesn’t get me where I need to go.

For so many nonprofits, where they need to go is reenergizing their boards.

Boards can do so much for an organization.  They can help to identify clear strategic directions.  They provide oversight.  They can help to fundraise.

But they cannot do this all by themselves.

In the 40 plus years I’ve been involved with nonprofits, I can say with absolute assuredness, I have never met anyone who joined a board with the idea that they would be a lousy board member.  And yet, that’s what happens too often.

Not having a clear roadmap for your board members is the key culprit here.  Everyone needs to be in alignment about what being a board member means, and—pay attention here, this is important—what the organization will provide to ensure that every board member has what they need to be a great board member.

Your roadmap would not only define roles and responsibilities, but also ensure that policies, including your bylaws, and procedures, reflect your organization as it is today.

You would also have straightforward board recruitment methods and an onboarding process that engages new board members from the start.  And at the finish, you would have succession and leadership continuity plans.

And for fundraising, just asking your board for names, or to raise a certain amount of money, is never a recipe for success.  Instead, have clarity on what you expect them to do versus what staff does.  And then train them—continuously—on how to do whatever it is you are asking them to do.

While we are talking fundraising, do make sure you understand (and then that they know) that fundraising is a lot more than simply asking someone for money.  Understand the cycle of fundraising and how board members can be enormously helpful in so many ways.  The board member who will do anything but ask for money maybe the one who stewards your donors so well your donor retention rates are off the charts.  Or another one throws a wicked house party—one where your prospective donors feel the love—and want to return that to you.

In short, think about what each and every board member does well, and then match their skills to the roles you are asking them to play.

And psst—a great way to learn about who they are, what they care about, what matters to them is to take a walk with them.  Something about putting one foot in front of the other helps us to open up and be genuine