AITA Conference AFP Institute Board Development Joey Wallace RESNA/NATTAP January 24, 2007

Expectations for the Morning Open Discussion Open Discussion Shared Examples Shared Examples Ideas and Materials to take back Ideas and Materials to take back

Topics to be Covered Board Recruitment Board Recruitment Board Organization Board Organization Board Development Board Development Board Fundraising Board Fundraising Building Partnerships Building Partnerships

Board Development is a Moving Target Your Board is your Board Your Board is your Board We are all in a different place and phase: We are all in a different place and phase: (Start up, operational, growth) Try to pick the priorities and areas most relevant and return with several objectives to work on Try to pick the priorities and areas most relevant and return with several objectives to work on

Board/Committee Comparison Governing Boards are : fv Required by statute to discharge legal and ethical responsibilities that cannot be delegated Required by statute to discharge legal and ethical responsibilities that cannot be delegated Typically governing incorporated entities Typically governing incorporated entities Made up of members legally charged with responsibility Made up of members legally charged with responsibility Accountable to multiple stakeholders including the public interest Accountable to multiple stakeholders including the public interest Decision making bodies Decision making bodies Advisory Committees are: Established by government or by an organization Typically subgroups of incorporated entities, reporting to governing boards or CEO Made up of members who typically serve as advisors to supplement work of board, staff or others Made up of members who are accountable to the organization they advise, external agencies that authorize the Committee, or other parties as specified Advisory bodies

What are our Program Strengths to recruit Potential Board Members? Clear mission Clear mission Specific target population Specific target population Statewide outreach Statewide outreach Little competition Little competition Few if any Board requirements (membership, tenure, etc.) Few if any Board requirements (membership, tenure, etc.)

What are our program barriers? Limited funds Limited funds Invisible clientele Invisible clientele Program Restraints Program Restraints Low Visibility Low Visibility

Recruitment How can a Board member influence these barriers? What expectations should we hold for Board members ?

Key functions that influence short and long term Board performance? Disability representation Fundraising capacity Marketing expertise Legal perspectives Legislative influence Accounting/Audit awareness Vendor contacts

Define a “Dream Team” Pursue with deliberation people who share the organization’s: Motivations Motivations Values Values Experiences Experiences Skills to help the organization reach the desired level of excellence Skills to help the organization reach the desired level of excellence

Board Member Profile Desired Characteristics Current Members Prospective Members All Members should have: Demonstrated interest before nomination Willingness to serve as Ambassador Experience with assistive technology Previous Board service Able to attend meetings Known as a good decision maker

All Members should have one or more of these: Sensitivity to disability Knowledge of non-profit Board protocol Specialized knowledge of a component of program mission Helps balance the Board by disability representation Helps balance the Board by geographic representation Helps balance the Board by ethnicity Helps balance the Board by lifespan representation Experience in Marketing Has network of donor prospects Leadership in another organization important to our mission

Board Development Homework Challenge each Board member to come up with 3 personal indicators of success for your Board.

Sub-Committees for Consideration Standing Committees Executive Executive Finance, Audit and Compliance Finance, Audit and Compliance Marketing and Outreach Marketing and Outreach Personnel and Nominations Personnel and Nominations Advisory Committees Special Ad Hoc Committees – specific task oriented (ex: Loan Review Committee) Special Ad Hoc Committees – specific task oriented (ex: Loan Review Committee)

Individual Board Member Self-Evaluation Use the following questions for individual board member evaluation. For board members answering yes to these questions, they are likely to be fulfilling their responsibilities as board members. YesNoNot Sure 1. Do I understand and support the mission of the organization? 2. Am I knowledgeable about the organization’s programs and services? 3. Do I follow trends and important developments related to this organization? 4. Do I assist with fundraising and/or give a significant annual gift to the organization? 5. Do I read and understand the organization’s financial statements? 6. Do I have a good working relationship with the chief executive? 7. Do I recommend individuals for service to this board? 8. Do I prepare for and participate in board meetings and committee meetings? 9. Do I act as a good-will ambassador to the organization? 10. Do I find serving on the board to be a satisfying and rewarding experience?

Board Recruitment Define the job Define the job Agree on the profile of the future Board Agree on the profile of the future Board Develop qualifications for serving Develop qualifications for serving Adopt a plan to identify and nurture future prospects Adopt a plan to identify and nurture future prospects

Board Development and Retention Formal Orientation Process Formal Orientation Process Include in AT event/activity Include in AT event/activity Mentoring System Mentoring System Self-Assessment Self-Assessment Overall Board Development Plan Overall Board Development Plan Assign to Committee or Workgroup Assign to Committee or Workgroup Annual Retreat Annual Retreat

New Board Member Orientation Checklist 1. Organization’s history and mission 1. Role and expectations of members 2. Bylaws, budget, policies, current members 3. Strategic plan, major goals 4. Staff introductions 5. Briefing on program strategies and results 6. Introduction to committees and advisory groups 7. Calendar of meetings and events 8. Other organizational information 9. Review of audits, contracts, etc. 10. Other

Individual donations by Board members Individual donations by Board members Active participation in fundraising development with staff Active participation in fundraising development with staff Role of the Executive Director Role of the Executive Director Recruit Board members willing to pursue fundraising development Recruit Board members willing to pursue fundraising development Fundraising Responsibilities

Fundraising Homework Complete chart on Donation Planning Complete chart on Donation Planning

Partnerships Internal to the Board Internal to the Board - CBO and Lead Entity - CBO and Lead Entity - CBO and Lender - CBO and Lender External to the Board External to the Board - CBO and Disability Community - CBO and Disability Community - CBO and Fundraising Community - CBO and Fundraising Community