Are You Struggling With Board Attendance? Does Your Board Seem Less Engaged?

A frequent concern and challenge for many nonprofit leaders is how to more fully engage and mobilize board members. We hear about poor attendance at meetings and fundraising events, difficulties in achieving quorums for votes, quiet meetings with little comment and/ or participation by board members during the most critical agenda items, and poor follow through on assignments and commitments. So, how do you revitalize your board and change past performance patterns?

• Assist board members in staying close to the mission and excited by your work. Include “mission moments” or share stories of your success with clients at board meetings and in board communications. Ask board members to participate in programs and services on an annual basis so they can experience your mission first hand. Make the connection between the vital community benefit your organization provides and the work of the board in sustaining it.
• Ask board members to sign a commitment contract that reinforces the importance of their attendance and their active participation in your organization. Strictly adhere to term limits to assure that you are actively recruiting and developing new board members.
• Consider moving to a consent agenda to provide more time during board meetings for strategic discussions, planning, and education. Consent agendas bundle routine reports into one item, requiring board members to read reports prior to the board meeting. Time is provided for questions and discussion, as needed. The board approves reports as a bundle. Focusing more agenda time on meaty, complex issues rather than routine reports, reinforces the importance of board member attendance and participation at board meetings.
  
• Conduct an annual board self assessment and set goals related to board performance, training, and group dynamics.
• Take time to recharge, celebrate, learn together, and build your team through an annual retreat, holiday party, or some other activity.

Post your comments and share your suggestions as to how to increase board engagement and involvement.