A few things to think about: Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board A few things to think about: There are currently around 1,600,000 nonprofits The IRS estimates another 40,000 nonprofits are emerging each year Which means you’ve got some competition. Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board According to the consulting firm, Boose Allen, there are approximately 1.3 million unfilled board positions at any one time in the US. Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board What is keeping your board and staff up at night? You will need to recruit your members accordingly. Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Why would someone want to serve on your board if they did not have a child in your center? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Do you need or want a diverse board? Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Do you need or want a diverse board? Pros:________________ ___________________ Cons:___________________________________ Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

How are you going to define diversity? Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board How are you going to define diversity? Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

What would a truly diverse board look like? Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board What would a truly diverse board look like? What would a truly diverse board look like? Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Write out a board grid Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Area of Expertise   Parent Educator Psychology/MSW Pediatrician Accounting Investments Fundraising Govt. Regulations Law Marketing Personnel Strategic Planning Public Relations Real Estate Entrepreneur Digital technology relative Full time volunteer Other Age: Under 35 From 35-50 From 51-65 Over 65 Gender Male Female Race/Ethnic Asian African American Hispanic Caucasian Native American grid Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Board Commitment Letter Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Board Commitment Letter Attendance policy Financial expectations (donation, meals, travel etc. Who pays?) Committee assignment Role in special events Educational opportunities and expectations Send two copies, one for board member, one for office Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

The Generational Divide: Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board The Generational Divide: Greatest Generation: Born 1901-1924 Silent Generation: Born 1925-1945 Baby Boomers: Born 1946-1962 Gen X: Born 1963-1980 Gen @: Born 1981-2002 Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Recruiting the Under 35 Board Member: What do they need to say yes? (These are the parents of your kidos) Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Brainstorm Brain storm to create a strategy to find folks who are different than you. Do your research! Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Questions What is the gender and ethnic split of you organization? Do you have a variety of life stages represented? What would this look like? Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

A few places to look for great board members … Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board A few places to look for great board members … The society pages The Business Journal Human resource directors The Army Times At special events In your news letter on on-line with very specific requirements Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

More places to look for folks Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board More places to look for folks Focus groups Children of current members Internal publications Organizational websites Social networking tools Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Possible Routes onto the Board Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Possible Routes onto the Board Serve as an advisor Work on a special project Join a board committee Remember, some folks are happier staying on committees Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Do Not tell the “Big Lie” Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Do Not tell the “Big Lie” Hint: It is not the check is in the mail or you can wear this bridesmaid’s dress again! Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board When you interview When you interview a potential board member, lead with their skills and your opportunities. Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Be honest Be honest about the state of your organization. If you’ve had problems, remember, some people actually like to do turnarounds! Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

The purpose of orientation: Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board The purpose of orientation: For the new member to know the organization For the organization to know the new member To discover how to work effectively together To clarify roles and responsibilities Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board A Lofty Goal: I challenge you to develop an orientation program that is so interesting, so engaging and so powerful that current board members want to come and that once someone has been through it, wants to bring their family and friends! Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Board Orientation Should Include: Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Board Orientation Should Include: A warm welcome A mission moment the leads to a story to tell Good food (even if just a snack) A sincere interest in getting to know the new members A glossary of terms (nobody loves acronyms more than credit unions with the possible exception of the Army.) An introduction to key leaders Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Questions to ask new members (even if asked during the interview process) What boards have you served on before? What did you like about your previous service? Dislike? What experience do you have with arthritis? Tell us about your time challenges/availability. What skills would you like to share with our organization? Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Board manual for the the board should include (if available): Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Board manual for the the board should include (if available): By-laws Organization Chart Strategic plan Board job descriptions Annual calendar Glossary of terms Certified audit Fundraising Plan Annual report List of board members Newsletters (highlight how people prefer to be contacted i.e. which e-mail, phone etc) Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Many people do not perceive a room full of strangers as a great social opportunity Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Assign a Board Mentor Call in advance of meeting to welcome Offer ride to meeting Introduce new member Sit together in meeting Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Additional Mentor Responsibilities: Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Additional Mentor Responsibilities: 1. Call after second meeting to ask if the organization is a good fit and if the new trustee has any questions. 2. Call at 6 months to ask if the new person is being used effectively. 3. Call at 10 months to ask what the new board member would like to tackle the next year. Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board What happens if someone does something she promised to do? What happens if she doesn’t? Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Find ways Find ways to model caring behavior at the board level, or as we said in the sixties, walk your talk. Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018

Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board Sign up for free You can sign up for Carol’s free e-zine that includes tips on: Governance, Fundraising Philanthropy Volunteerism And marketing your nonprofit at www.BoardBuilders.com Carol Weisman, www.BoardBuilders.com, Carol@BoardBuilders.com, 314-991-3018