I often have the opportunity to work with leaders and boards of organizations that have been successful for 10 or more years.
They most often come to me because of a significant event that has recently happened, or is about to happen.
Perhaps the founder or beloved leader is stepping down. Or the organization has outgrown the “working” board model and needs to bring in a professional or two to run the day-to-day. Maybe the board has become stagnant and are unable to attract new members. Or, they can attract new members, but they don’t know how to welcome, engage, and fully utilize their skills.
I completed a board refresh session earlier this year. We looked at the mission, vision, their “customer” profile, and the core focus and goals. At the end of the day, many in the room said that they felt “newly energized”. One person said they had been considering stepping off the board but were now excited about the direction, alignment, and vision of the organization.
Non-profit work is vitally important to our communities and to our society.
And yet, the ability to attract and retain board members who truly add value and are engaged is tricky.
Often it isn’t the board members fault. The most effective and valuable board members tend to be very busy people. They have important jobs, other community-based commitments, their own hobbies and interests, and. of course, social and family obligations.
They will become disengaged if your organization isn’t engaging and utilizing their skills and expertise in productive ways. Or if you’re putting all the demands on them for fundraising, events, recruiting volunteers, and more. Disengagement can lead to resentment, communication challenges, and unhealthy conflict. As a result, your organization will likely miss the mark on fulfilling its mission.
A board refresh session with an outside expert who can see the forest for the trees is powerful.
I love this work, and I have 30 years experience both as a leader in nonprofits and as a board member. I have consulted with, and provided training for, nonprofits across the United States.
If you are noticing that your board is becoming less and less engaged, or there are bad feelings brewing between board members, let’s get your board REFRESHED! Your organization’s success and vitality depends on it.
I’d love to work with your organization! Schedule a call with me, today.