13. Nonprofit Boards: Who's at the Top Matters - Christal M. Cherry
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Overview
Meet Christal. She's a woman on a mission. She's seen immobile nonprofit boards hold an organization's mission and people hostage and she's rewriting the Helpful Boards playbook. She throws down about a dozen amazingly simple tips to reengage and refocus your board on getting active (instead of advisory). Young professionals: we'll talk through finding your seat and voice at the board table too.
“Our boards are not engaged, because we are not doing a good job at engaging them.”
There are 1.3 million nonprofit boards in the United States
4 steps to building a more engaged board
3 suggestions to level up your board onboarding process
How she utilized the “Bravo Board” to celebrate the accomplishments of staff members and connect them with board members
Helping board members become ambassadors and fundraisers to further your mission
Christal’s advice to young professionals on how they can hold their own in the board room
Steps to reinvigorate our boards
Use Board Maps to evaluate the current state of your board
Know your why, build authentic relationships, and do your homework
Powerful Quotes:
“Our boards are not engaged, because we are not doing a good job at engaging them.” -Christal
“We have a responsibility of making new board members feel welcomed.” -Christal
“Take the fear out of fundraising. Everyone things fundraising is the F word and it really isn’t.” -Christal
“When you feel passionate about something nobody has to give you a script.” -Christal
“We should look at fundraising as the gift that it truly is. Your role and whatever you are doing is moving the great good forward.” -Becky
“Push through the fear and do it anyway.” -Christal
“Advisory councils can keep people engaged without them serving on the board.” -Christal
“Know your why. Board work is a commitment. If your heart doesn’t throb about going to that board meeting you are in the wrong spot.” -Christal
4 steps to Building a more Engaged Board
Know who your board members are
Don’t overlook the onboarding process
Include board members in your work, and make it easy for them to engage
Thank them profusely
Board Onboarding Process
Make sure the board member is announced - make them feel welcomed
Buddy them up with someone who has been on the board for a few years
Introduce them to the staff members
Board Maps - an assessment of your current board
Who is on your board?
Do you have women on your board?
Do you have diversity within your board?
Is there someone on your board that can personally speak into your mission? (ex. if you are a homeless shelter, is there someone on your board who used to be homeless?)
What are your needs as an organizations? Are they being met by your current board?
Who has been on the board for 15 years? Look at utilizing advisory councils to open up room for new energy
