1. Recruiting and Retaining Client Board Members It really is possible and not even that hard Presented by Julie Reiskin LCSW Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition LSC Board Member

2.  This workshop will feature interactive sessions that will provide tips and tricks and concrete strategies including: identifying outstanding candidates for your Board from your client pool, recruitment of client Board members, specific training that client Board members may need and how to provide this in safe setting, keeping client Board members engaged in all aspects of Board leadership including fiduciary duties, and retention of client Board members and succession planning. The session will go through the life cycle of a Board member from the client perspective, identify where things often go wrong and provide specific strategies for avoiding these pitfalls. Participants will leave the session with specific tools that they can use immediately to recruit or retain client Board members that are consistent with both LSC regulations and nonprofit best practice. These tools will help participants build a better board, not simply check a box for compliance. Participants will also be given a small electronic tool kit. Overview

3.  Identifying outstanding candidates for your Board from your client pool.  Recruitment of client Board members from other sources  Training client board members  Integrating client board members onto team  Retention & succession planning  Common problems and solutions Agenda

4.  What qualities do your best board members possess?  What qualities do your most challenging board members possess? Board Members

5. Which clients should be recruited

6. StaffSurveys Other Feedback How do you go about getting internal referrals?

7. Civil rights organization Other war on poverty organizations like Federally Qualified Health Centers Veterans’ Programs Domestic Violence Programs TANF workforce programs Where else Other places to find client board members

8.  Have board member job description  Recent report  Another board member to talk to  Overall expectations and  Available supports When recruiting

9.  Pre-interview  Formal interview  Observe a board meeting  Connection to mission  Identify the fit Selection

10.  What training might clients need that is ABOVE AND BEYOND what attorneys need  Employment  Financial  Roberts Rules  Board versus staff Training for client board members

11.  https://www.stayexempt.irs.gov/Resource- Library/Good-Governance https://www.stayexempt.irs.gov/Resource- Library/Good-Governance  https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources- categories/financial-management https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources- categories/financial-management  Local Better Business Bureau  State Non Profit Agency Resources for Board Training

12.  Do it  Pair up with mentor  Include clients with regular board orientation but offer specific individual training as needed based on client skill set. Involve mentor in training.  Provide ahead of first board meeting Orientation

13.  Board Responsibilities  Board versus Staff Roles  Expected Communication  What will be in board packet  How meetings are run  Various programs and regulations with each program  How the budget process works Make sure to cover

14.  Orientation  How meetings are run  Consensus versus Roberts Rules or other structured  Committee work  Special Projects  Networking  Check in early and often Keeping then engaged

15.  Introductions  Agendas  Outline decisions versus FYI  Board Packet at least a week early  Mentoring  Acronym Free Zone How Meetings are Run

16.  Great way to involve newer member  Mentoring can take place here  Figure out committee in interview  Use client board members to help with customer satisfaction and needs assessments Committee Work

17.  Client members can shine at special events  Many will have skills in event planning and implementation  Make sure they have roles including speaking roles  Other ways client members can add to event  Know local vendors ----unique community venue  Greeters -----Silent auction collections Special Events

18.  Send client board members to events to allow them to network  Local events  Foundation site visits  Trainings  National Conferences  Policy meetings Networking

19.  Ask how it is going  And then listen  Don’t discount ideas but explore what is behind an idea that seems strange. Regular check in’s important

20.  Terms of office –to limit or not to limit  Engage on nominating committee  Stop problems before they get out of hand  Address lack of engagement immediately  Continue to check in often Retention/Succession

21.  Client board member using board process to address personal concerns or concerns of friends Problems?

22.  Attorney board member proposing policy of minimum annual donation of $250 Problems?

23.  Client board member is making commitments and not following through Problems?

24.  Client board member asking other board members for legal advice for friends Problems?

25.  Attorney board members slipping into legalese or acronyms Problems?

26.  Client board member disengaging. Problems?

27.  With the right effort you will get amazing hard- working board members--- Summary

28.  Julie Reiskin, LCSW  303-667-4216  jreiskin@ccdconline.org jreiskin@ccdconline.org Questions