1. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 1carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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.

2. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 2carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com According to the consulting firm, Boose Allen, there are approximately 1.3 million unfilled board positions at any one time in the US.

3. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 3carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com What is keeping your board and staff up at night? You will need to recruit your members accordingly.

4. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 4carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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.

5. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 5carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Do you need or want a diverse board? Pros:________________ ___________________ Cons:_______________ ____________________

6. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 6carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com How are you going to define diversity?

7. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 7carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 7 What would a truly diverse board look like?

8. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 8carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Write out a board grid

9. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 9carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Name123456789101112131415 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 Other

10. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 10carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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

11. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 11carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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

12. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 12carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Recruiting the Under 35 Board Member: What do they need to say yes? (These are the parents of your kidos)

13. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 13carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Brain storm to create a strategy to find folks who are different than you. Do your research!

14. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 14carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com What is the gender and ethnic split of you organization? Do you have a variety of life stages represented? What would this look like?

15. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 15carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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

16. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 16carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com More places to look for folks Focus groups Children of current members Internal publications Organizational websites Social networking tools

17. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 17carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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

18. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 18carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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!

19. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 19carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com When you interview a potential board member, lead with their skills and your opportunities.

20. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 20carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Be honest about the state of your organization. If you’ve had problems, remember, some people actually like to do turnarounds!

21. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 21carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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

22. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 22carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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!

23. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 23carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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

24. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 24carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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?

25. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 25carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Board manual for the the board should include (if available): By-lawsOrganization Chart Strategic planBoard job descriptions Annual calendarGlossary of terms Certified auditFundraising Plan Annual report List of board members Newsletters (highlight how people prefer to be contacted i.e. which e-mail, phone etc)

26. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 26carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Many people do not perceive a room full of strangers as a great social opportunity

27. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 27carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Assign a Board Mentor Call in advance of meeting to welcome Offer ride to meeting Introduce new member Sit together in meeting

28. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 28carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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.

29. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 29carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com What happens if someone does something she promised to do? What happens if she doesn’t?

30. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 30carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com Find ways to model caring behavior at the board level, or as we said in the sixties, walk your talk.

31. Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP, carol@BoardBuilders.com, www.BoardBuilders.com, 314-863-4422 31carol@BoardBuilders.com www.BoardBuilders.com 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