648. Unlock Your Board’s Potential: Accountability, Succession, and Engagement (Christal Cherry)
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Overview
Our dear friend Christal Cherry and Founder + CEO of The Board Pro and F3 Fabulous Female Fundraisers is back for a third time—yes, a true 3-peat in podcast appearances—bringing her wealth of experience in transforming nonprofit boards into vibrant, engaged communities. 💙
In this episode, we go beyond the usual board meeting routine to explore how to create meaningful involvement throughout the year. Christal highlights why understanding the unique strengths and passions of each board member matters and shares practical tips for using those qualities to drive effective fundraising and leadership. If you’re working through complex board dynamics or looking for ways to deepen your nonprofit’s impact, this episode is packed with strategies and inspiration to help you succeed.
Tune in for a warm and insightful conversation that will shift how you think about your board and unlock new ways to foster a supportive and innovative board environment.
Learn:
How to engage board members beyond traditional meetings and foster year-round involvement.
Strategies for identifying and leveraging the unique strengths and passions of each board member.
Practical advice on overcoming fear and discomfort in fundraising efforts.
Insights into creating a supportive and dynamic board culture that encourages active participation.
Techniques for addressing and revitalizing disengaged board members.
The importance of transparent communication and relationship-building within nonprofit organizations.
Tips for effective succession planning and preparing for leadership transitions.
Resources:
Little Bit of Good (The Board Shakeup Podcast): Listen Here on Spotify
“Get to know your board members and they will feel and see it. ”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights
Engaging Boards for Fundraising (02:22)
How to Overcome Board Disengagement (05:18)
Strategies for Board Engagement (08:13)
The Importance of building and maintaining Board Relationships (11:32)
Recruitment and Succession Planning for Boards (17:18)
How to Activate Boards for Impact (20:06)
The Role of Boards in Challenging Times (23:08)
Finding Community as a Leader (29:15)
Christal Cherry’s One Good Thing (34:20)
Powerful Quotes
“We do not need seat warmers right now, so step down and give your seat to someone else.” - Christal Cherry
“Radical connection and caring for people really matters.” - Christal Cherry
“Do we have the right people? Who’s missing? What are our values? Having those kind of conversations are important.” - Christal Cherry
“Responsibility is a balancing act.” -Christal Cherry
“What you have to say matters.” - Christal Cherry
“Listening, taking action, and then showing them the results makes a difference and I am committed to making those changes.” - Christal Cherry
“Stop letting fear get in the way of what needs to happen to support your organization.” - Christal Cherry
"You have to cultivate relationships with them, just like you would any other group.” - Christal Cherry
“The only way to go is truth. We can’t sugarcoat it.” - Christal Cherry
Christal Cherry’s One Good Thing “Radically connecting with one another, calling to check on people and caring for people really does matter.”
Episodes Mentioned:
13. Nonprofit Boards: Who's at the Top Matters - Christal M. Cherry
Episode Shownotes | Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify
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