1. 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,

2. 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,

3. 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,

4. 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,

5. 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,

6. How are you going to define diversity?
Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board
How are you going to define diversity?
Carol Weisman,

7. 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,

8. Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board
Write out a board grid
Carol Weisman,

9. 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,

10. 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,

11. The Generational Divide:
Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board
The Generational Divide:
Greatest Generation: Born
Silent Generation: Born
Baby Boomers: Born
Gen X: Born
Born
Carol Weisman,

12. 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,

13. 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,

14. 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,

15. 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,

16. 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,

17. 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,

18. 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,

19. 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,

20. 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,

21. 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,

22. 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,

23. 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,

24. 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,

25. 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 , phone etc)
Carol Weisman,

26. Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board
Many people do not perceive a room full of strangers as a great social opportunity
Carol Weisman,

27. 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,

28. 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,

29. Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board
What happens if someone does something she promised to do? What happens if she doesn’t?
Carol Weisman,

30. 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,

31. Recruiting, Retaining and Orienting Your Board
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Carol Weisman,