Changing the Table – 21st Century Board Development

PAUL SCHMITZ CEO, LEADING INSIDE OUT Leadership is a muscle that everyone has, and it only gets stronger with exercise and practice. To solve complex problems, we must build the collective leadership muscle of our organizations and communities. PAUL SCHMITZ CEO, LEADING INSIDE OUT

Program Objectives Understand Board Service Changing the Table Board Member Responsibilities and Expectations Changing the Table Board Diversity & Leadership

Board Members Legally Required Duties Duty of Care – exercise “reasonable care when making a decision for the organization Duty of Loyalty – act in the best interest of the organization/ maintain confidentiality Duty of Obedience - be faithful to the organization's mission. He or she cannot act in a way that is inconsistent with the organization's goals.

Board Responsibilities Determine, monitor & strengthen programs & services Enhance the organizations public standing Ensure legal & ethic integrity Recruit & orient board Mind the mission Select, support & review Ex. Director Ensure effective organizational planning Oversee effective management of resources

Board Member Expectations Commit to mission Act Strategically Ensure a strong board Participate in fundraising Actively support programs & services Promote marketing & PR

The Table Board Source 2015 Governance Index 45% of the boards & 69% of the CEO’s are dissatisfied with their board diversity 71% of the boards & 75% of the CEO’s believe a more diverse board would make them better at fulfilling their mission Yet since 2010, board diversity has only grown four percent. Ninety percent of board chairs, 80 percent of boards, and 89 percent of CEOs are of a single race—White. LVRC The Non-White population in the ABE area has grown from approx. 20% in 2005 to approx. 30% in 2013 (LVRC) https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2015/03/04/the-face-of-nonprofit-boards-a-network-problem/

Table Discussion What does changing the table mean to you? What does your current board/ staff look like? Too similar? Not enough diversity? Time to assess? Commitment to making decisions – taking action; leading

The Challenge - Self Reinforcing Cycles Majority White Staff/ Board Interview Biases Recruitment via networks Implicit Biases Homogenous Applicant Pool

What is Board Diversity? Race Gender Age Religious affiliations Sexual orientation Income levels Physical capabilities Personality Other?

Top Reasons Diversity is Important It reflects the real world – something every company should be sensitive to. Healthy debate can lead to better decisions. Divergent backgrounds mean tackling the same idea in differing ways. Great ideas come from disruption of the status quo. Your clients and customers are diverse.

Your Board Why representation is so important What you can do to align your board and staff with the community you serve The challenges you may face in creating an inclusive environment The impact & value to the constituents you serve

Updated Mission Statement: Our Board Updated Mission Statement: To be the premier resource to connect, empower and transform an inclusive and engaged diverse culture within the Greater Lehigh Valley by partnering with people, businesses, and non-profits through volunteer coordination, leadership development and recognition.

Table Discussions Creating Diversity Creating diversity- what are you doing? How do you view Diversity? Diversity initiatives should be an investment for your community and organization – what are you doing?

How to Uphold an Inclusive Conversation in your Board Room Awareness of self Knowledge of others Holding oneself accountable to action

When the Table Changes Understanding similarities as well as differences Impact on communication and interpersonal relationships Impact of change on our own organization’s culture Need for rethinking policies and practices Validity of our unconscious assumptions about what people or groups of people can or cannot do

Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley Questions?? Thank You! Karen Daly Smith CEO Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley 610-807-0336 karen@volunteerlv.org www.volunteerlv.org