5 r's to building a great board

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NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP SERIES

The 5 “R”s of building a strong board

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• Deborah Stanley, CFRE - Currently Manager, Client Success Team- 15 years corporate sales and marketing in

technology industry- 7 years in the non-profit sector including

development, executive management and volunteer support

INTRODUCTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

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A FREE “R”

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THE FIRST “R” - RECRUIT

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YOUR BOARD

Number??

Composition?

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THE MATRIX

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MY BOARD DOESN’T RECRUIT

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SECOND “R” - REQUIRE

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• The board manual- bylaws,- P&P- Other

• The Contract!!- Spell it all out – THEY WILL….

• Give or get – financial commitment• Event participation• Attendance• Conflict of interest• Duty of care

WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM THEM?

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• The Contract … continued- Number of meetings- Notification- Materials to review- Relationship and access to staff

• If this is not working, what can we do?

WHAT DO THEY NEED FROM YOU?

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• Nonprofit world• Vertical sector• Organizational history- Who to know?- Mission, vision and values- Programs- What to expect as a board member?

TRAINING & ORIENTATION

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THIRD “R” - RETAIN

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KEEP THEM INVOLVEDBoard Chair

Executive Director

Finance Fundraising Program Audit

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• Not clearly defined goals• Not clearly defined roles• Meetings too sporadic• Meetings too long• Too many meetings• Too many hidden agendas• Not enough passion for the cause• Too much passion, not enough purpose• Too much purpose, not enough passion• Too darn busy for such nonsense

TOP 10 REASONS PEOPLE LEAVE

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Time Attend a conferenceHelp at a fundraiserRepresent the agency at a meeting

TalentWrite a letter.Design a solicitation.Review a legal document.

Buy a table at an event.Give to the annual fund.Make an introduction to a corporate funder.Treasures

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FOURTH “R” - RECOGNIZE

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ON YOUR WEBSITE

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FIFTH “R” - REMIND

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ANNUAL PLANNING PROCESS

.Strategic PlanFinancial PlanPersonnel Plan

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DID WE ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS?

The bonus – review your current board

Then…..• Recruit• Require• Retain• Recognize• Remind!!

The five R’s

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PREVIEW TO NEXT SESSIONNonprofit FinanceMark Carmichael

VP of Finance for Trident United Way. 

Nov 13th 12:00 eastern.