Volunteer Engagement

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The Qualities of a Good Board Member – Take an Honest Self-Assessment

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The Qualities of a Good Board Member – Take an Honest Self-Assessment

At Project Partners, I have the privilege of serving an exceptional nonprofit board of directors—the HEB ISD Education Foundation—as their consultant and project manager. While I have collaborated with numerous nonprofit boards across the nation, this group of leaders truly stands out as one of the best in the country! Every day, I am inspired by the dedication, leadership, and passion that these volunteer leaders bring to the table. Their unwavering commitment to the mission, along with their readiness to contribute time, treasure, and talent, profoundly impacts the success of this organization, which supports HEB ISD’s commitment to excellence in education. Working alongside them has been an incredible learning experience, and today, I want to share some insights on what it means to be an effective board member.

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Re-Establish Relationships

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Re-Establish Relationships

In three recent conversations with executive director clients, the topic of re-establishing relationships was discussed. Our community is experiencing a shift in those taking leadership roles within our philanthropic landscape, plus the way people work, meet, and communicate has changed in recent years.  So, the need to go back to the basics of researching, identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors, collaborators, and board member prospects is top of mind to many nonprofit executives.

Because of that, I reached into our files to retrieve a handout that we provided in one of our Good Advice Over Coffee sessions held as part of our 25th anniversary and pulled the advice we provided on building a base of community support for your cause.

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Find Joy in the Job

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Find Joy in the Job

With a recent invoice payment, we received a handwritten thank you note insert from a client, (and we were still in the middle of the assignment).

At a board meeting, we were given an iced sugar cookie in the shape of a unicorn with appreciative words of how unique our services were to the exact needs of that board and foundation.

Another time, we received a crystal vase from an executive committee with sentiments of how we served as the vessel for their cause to flourish and how they hoped we would remember them by filling the vase with fresh flowers in the future.

Survey Your Board Members and Ask For Specific Help

Survey Your Board Members and Ask For Specific Help

I have heard from many Executive Directors and Board Chairs over the years who share a common frustration. “We can’t get our board to do anything.  There is so much to accomplish for our mission, but we feel like we’re not getting help beyond attendance at meetings.”  My first thought in response is almost always, “but have you asked for specific help and if so, in what way?”.

Develop Your Precious Volunteer Resources

Develop Your Precious Volunteer Resources

It is “high season” for our community’s nonprofit events, campaigns, and board meetings, which inspired me to pull this “Key Points Summary” regarding developing volunteer resources from a presentation I made a few years ago to our Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Chapter.  It is from the handout we provided to accompany Project Partners’ presentation titled “Volunteers.  You Can’t Live With Them.  You Can’t Live Without Them.”, one of my favorites.  (We know good things come to those who train!) Having served more than 250 boards, committees, and task forces, (and counting), I promise these principles stand the test of time and will help guarantee your success:

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