20 Ways to Build Board Engagement

Do you struggle to get a quorum at your board meetings? Is getting someone to be chairman like wrestling with a tarpon?  Is showing up at board meetings the extent of your board’s service? When volunteering on a board is a pleasure and a growing experience, board members move into the realm of being our organizations’ greatest advocates and ambassadors.  

There are distinct steps you can take that will move people from present - to involved - to engaged.  The ongoing process of recruiting ensures you’re getting the right people for this period, considering the current and future needs of your organization.  But, getting a “yes” for board service should unleash a plethora of activities that helps your new board member understand the history and focus of your organization, their responsibilities as a board member, how they are uniquely suited to make an impact, and much more.  

Additionally, when board members increasingly know each other, it opens dialogue and makes board service more enjoyable.  Carving out some time during board meetings, providing invitations to events, board mentorship, and an occasional board retreat are all ways to facilitate increased interaction. But, it’s not just onboarding and relationships that create organizational emissaries. 

As I facilitated one board retreat recently, we broke into small groups and created agendas for board meetings that aren’t boring.  We had automatic buy-in for upcoming board meetings because they designed and were excited about what was going to take place.  The new elements, as well as the anticipated variety, provided greater excitement for their board service.  

Join us for our morning program on June 28th as we experience and learn 20 Ways to Build Board Engagement in an upbeat and interactive training.  To register, please go here.