2010 GSA CHILD CARE CONFERENCE Aaron Lindstrom REVITALIZING YOUR BOARD All images courtesy of www.flickr.com unless otherwise noted Introduction to Networking CONNECT for EFFECT

Introduction to Networking Hello, My name is Aaron Lindstrom. I have served as the President for a GSA childcare board and am the owner of Connect for Effect, a sales and management consulting firm. For the next hour and a half, I am going to read really boring PowerPoint slides to you while you wonder why you are not at the pool, check your phone, and try not to stick a pen in your eye out of sheer boredom. Doesn’t that sound fun and productive? Introduction to Networking CONNECT for EFFECT

Introduction to Networking Presenter Image Self introduction, discuss why we have the power point, go over the rules of discussion Introduction to Networking CONNECT for EFFECT

Revitalizing Your Board AGENDA Getting our focus Identifying our needs and our passions Creating atmosphere Alternative approaches to your board Board not Bored Questions Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

Revitalizing Your Board WHY ARE WE HERE? Discussion of what are goals are and why we are doing this. Beyond our children, what do we want to get from our board experience? Just a note! I took these, they are my kids, not something I took off Flickr! Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

WHAT DO WE NEED FOR OUR BOARD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Open discussion after short group breakouts on what attributes we need on our board: Leaders, Record Keepers, Cheerleaders, Fundraisers, Question Askers, Financial perspectives, Score Keepers, Creative Thinkers, ect. Once this is identified, individuals will rank the areas the are most passionate about and what they are the strongest at. Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

FINDING YOUR SUPERHERO Based on pervious exercise, we will discuss what makes us a “Superhero.” We will talk about how our energy and excellence will help create the energy for the board. I will reference the hedgehog concept from Good to Great – What can you be the best in the world at as well as confronting the brutal fact that we cannot run a board by ourselves. Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

FINDING OTHER SUPERHEROS We have established we cannot run a board as individuals, so we need to gather others with super powers as well. Each member will serve in a different capacity and each person will bring unique talents to the organization. It is important to note that as leaders, we cannot expect excellence if we force others into roles for which they are not suited. We will identify how many of what type of person we need. Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

Revitalizing Your Board CREATING A CULTURE What do you want your board to look like? Is it a high level business like atmosphere or a fun and casual team. There are no wrong answers to what a board looks like as long as all members of the team know their roles and the direction the board is going. Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

Revitalizing Your Board LONG vs. SHORT Traditional board models are beginning to fail with the increase of Gen X and Gen Y parents. We will discuss the idea of focal positions, task forces, and the use of long and short term positions to accomplish the goals of the board. We will also discuss challenges to continuity and management of nontraditional board models Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

THE BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS How to deal with the business of the Board. Reports are boring, financial data is out of some of our grasps. We have limited time, so why do we spend so much of it reading off reports we were all supposed to have read? We will discuss consent agendas and meeting minutes, we will talk about how and when to review these items in detail, and discuss staff reports and involvement in this section as well Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

Revitalizing Your Board A FEW TIPS Create Board Books Involve the Community Ask for Help Never Forget Why You Are Here! Also, seek ideas from the attendees Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT

Revitalizing Your Board QUESTIONS? THANK YOU! Aaron Lindstrom 206-423-3958 Aaron@connectforeffect.com Revitalizing Your Board CONNECT for EFFECT