Kelly:
I’ve read your great post several times since seeing it at your blog, and you know how I enthusiastically support your words (as I blogged in detail about your post!). And I especially love the punchline: “Board recruitment is nothing more than stating the case for an institution you love to people who will be prepared to do the same thing.”
In my experience, though, focusing boards on fundraising (the means) is a lot easier when a board’s primary focus is the end results they intend to create in their communities. Once that primary role is “leadership on behalf of the community’s highest aspirations,” boards engage the community in their mission, because they are energized about advancing the mission.
My experience has also been that when we stop focusing boards on raising money, which often scares the pants off them, and instead focus them on simply engaging people in the mission, the money follows. It also makes recruitment a whole lot easier, as community members become more engaged.
Again, thanks for a great post - it has clearly had me thinking all week!
One of my friends, a graduate of a prestigious business school, expressed her interest in joining the boards of several local nonprofits in her area. This seems to me a great opportunity for her, as a young female professional, to get involved. However, as you say, boards are always looking for older, wealthier people and not the young professionals with energy. What strategies would you recommend to her?
COMMENTS
BY Hildy Gottlieb
ON July 10, 2008 07:56 AM
Kelly:
I’ve read your great post several times since seeing it at your blog, and you know how I enthusiastically support your words (as I blogged in detail about your post!). And I especially love the punchline: “Board recruitment is nothing more than stating the case for an institution you love to people who will be prepared to do the same thing.”
In my experience, though, focusing boards on fundraising (the means) is a lot easier when a board’s primary focus is the end results they intend to create in their communities. Once that primary role is “leadership on behalf of the community’s highest aspirations,” boards engage the community in their mission, because they are energized about advancing the mission.
My experience has also been that when we stop focusing boards on raising money, which often scares the pants off them, and instead focus them on simply engaging people in the mission, the money follows. It also makes recruitment a whole lot easier, as community members become more engaged.
Again, thanks for a great post - it has clearly had me thinking all week!
Hildy Gottlieb
Author: Board Recruitment & Orientation: A Step-by-Step, Common Sense Guide
(For those interested, my initial thoughts on Kelly’s post are here:
http://hildygottlieb.com/2008/07/07/nonprofit-board-recruitment-as-inspiration/ )
BY Alexandra L
ON August 4, 2008 12:48 PM
One of my friends, a graduate of a prestigious business school, expressed her interest in joining the boards of several local nonprofits in her area. This seems to me a great opportunity for her, as a young female professional, to get involved. However, as you say, boards are always looking for older, wealthier people and not the young professionals with energy. What strategies would you recommend to her?