This document provides an overview of strategies for effective board recruitment and engagement. It discusses developing a recruitment process including defining expectations, identifying ideal candidates, conducting outreach, and onboarding new members. The document also covers ensuring board effectiveness through regular self-assessments, strategic planning, clarifying roles and responsibilities, effective meetings, communication, and ongoing education. The goal is to recruit and retain high-quality board members who are actively engaged in governing the organization and advancing its mission.
7. @AskEmilyD
PERSONAL PLANNING
Passion for mission
Organizational lifecycle stage
How many boards will you sit on?
Board terms
Type of board
Board size, demographics
Financial support
Clarity of expectations
9. @AskEmilyD
WHO HAS…
q A defined recruitment process?
q A regular recruitment schedule?
q A governance and/or nominating
committee leading the process?
17. @AskEmilyD
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
What is our capacity?
What does success look like?
What matters the most to us?
How does this serve our mission?
How does it fit our strategic goals?
How might this be a challenge for us?
Why is this important right now?
Why should we consider other options?
Why is this relevant to our stakeholders?
*BoardSource
22. @AskEmilyD
HATS WE WEAR
LEGAL AMBASSADORVOLUNTEER
Connections
Resources
Communications
Duty of Care
Duty of Loyalty
Duty of Obedience
Board works for staff
Avoid micromanagement
*BoardSource
23. @AskEmilyD
ENSURE HUMAN & FINANCIAL RESOURCES
CEO
Board Members
Supporters
Policies
Planning
Board Giving
Prospecting
Cultivation
Stewardship
*BoardSource
38. @AskEmilyD
WHAT MAKES ‘EM TICK
•Always YES
•Wants to help
everyone &
everything
•Caution!
OVER-COMMITTED
•Needs lots
to stay
engaged
•Don’t let
them sit
around
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY
•Verbal &
print
•Use titles
&
acknowled
gment
LIKES RECOGNITION
•Stays focused & on track
•Great for events
•May get discouraged by
others’ lack of support
ORGANIZER
• Lots of ideas for
improvement
• Pair with an Organizer
to keep things moving
CREATIVE
*Abigail Harmon
45. @AskEmilyD
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU
How does this serve the mission?
Does it fit our strategic goals?
What’s our capacity?
What does success look like?
Keep it high level!
48. @AskEmilyD
BOARD ENGAGEMENT PLANS
• What do you want to include?
• How will you create them?
• How do you hold yourselves
accountable?
• What challenges lie ahead?
• What does success look like?
• Board participation
• Committee participation
• Event participation
• Individual giving
• Fundraising activities
• Ambassadorship
• Resources have and need