The Power of an Engaged and Proactive Advisory Board

Learning Objectives for this Session Sharing ideas about what makes an Advisory Board Powerful. Tips to recruit, retain and sustain active and engaged AB’s and how they can enhance NAF Academies and, most importantly, the students.

 Based on your most pressing need, today, what would you do first to improve your current board?

What we Learned from the Survey  Respondents Demographics:  Boards established 5+ years  Active members 2-5  Impact 60% of potential

What we Learned from the Survey  Top reasons your Board is Effective  Good & Diverse Leadership  Engaged/Committed Members  Goals / Strategic Plan  Academy/Board Structure  Cooperation AdministrationTeachers/StudentsIndustry

What we Learned from the Survey  Catalyst for Improvement:  Clear Structure & Goals  Better Communication  Community Involvement  NAF Support/Best Practices  Fundraising

What we Learned from the Survey  Top Challenges:  Implement ideas  (Leadership)  Budgets  Internships  Recruiting Members  Finding Sponsors

Goals

It begins with a Shared Vision  Strategic Planning  Identify the top needs for the year  Internships  Classroom Integration with Business Community  Field Trips  A New Library  What are your Board’s goals for the year?

Are the Right Players on your Bus?  Are they in the right Seats?  Do you have a great driver looking 100 yards ahead  Who’s holding the map?  Is your mechanic on board in case?  Who’s asking why we’re going there?

Cards on the Table  Pick a card, one card, that most represents the value you bring to your team, your board.

The Matrix Balance of Working Styles Community Diversity Industry Representation Expertise

Creating Raving Fans – not just good board members  Platinum Rule – Help others matter  Connect them with Students, progressively  Progressively encourage them to engage others  Provide tools and events to make it easy for them to engage: scheduled tours, breakfasts…

Creating Raving Fans – not just good board members  Touch them, regularly but not too much  Provide options: full board, committees, councils  Structure – together, create clear tasks & direction for your board members

Example: We need a Marketing Person Networking: Where???  Just like dating – go where you have a passion  LinkedIn  Agencies, Associations, fast 50, Winners  Local larger companies have CMO’s  Should I go direct?  Board members who work with agencies and give them $$  Board Matching Networks

Summary - Effective Measures & Advice From Survey  Goals - Strategic Planning  Membership – Large & Diverse Board  Recruiting – Strong Leaders & Members with the “right” skills  Structure – provide clear tasks & direction for your Board Members  Gaps -

 The Right Shared Goals  Assessing Gaps  Recruiting the “Right” People  Structure + Engagement

Recruiting a Marketing Person Board Matching Organizations and Sites    

Board Structure  Large Group  Regional Based  Sub-committees  Large Group  Activity Focused

Board Chair- person School Staff Industry Advisors Students /Parents NAF Staff

Board Chairperson Committee NAF Staff / Teachers Parents & Students Industry Committee NAF Staff / Teachers Parents & Students Industry

Classroom SpeakersField Trip FundraisingCareer Day Board Chairperson

Providing a Structure of Engagement Common Gaps: Fundraiser members from Large Corporations (potential sponsorship, internships, etc.) Leaders & Doers