6 Ways to Grow Board Engagement (and Be More Efficient!)

A more engaged board of directors equals a more sustainable organization, a more strategic organization and a more impactful organization.

Too often, we hear of nonprofit board dysfunction or disorganization…or a lack of engagement…or complaints of board members trying to micro-manage the organization and butting heads with leadership.

To that end, we are sharing some quick tips & best practices to grow engagement, improve communication, and be more efficient.

Here’s our top 6 tips:

1. Set clear expectations.
   –> Consider using a board member contract (check out templates here)
   –> Communicate in an organized fashion (e.g. send all board meeting files together and not piecemeal);
2. Encourage interaction (outside of meetings!).
   –> Like any team, board members are more likely to “show up” when they like their fellow team members.
   –> Make it fun! Consider a “board buddies” format where you randomly (or strategically) pair board members together and tell them to have a 10-15-minute Zoom session on their own time. Then do a round-robin or ask one member to chime in with something new they learned about a fellow member.
   –> Require board members to join at least one committee
3. Hold effective virtual meetings.
   –> Encourage members to turn on their videos
   –> Many vendors like Zoom have put out special offers to ensure that virtual meetings are easier to set up than ever before
4. Consider using a nonprofit board portal. 
   –> This ensures that board members know where to find key information
   –> Allows for an easy screen-share during your video conference
   –> Save time on administrative requirements (e.g. have all Conflict of Interest forms signed and saved in one place within the portal)
   –> No more haphazard, confusing email communication
5. Review your meeting format.
   –> Consider a consent agenda
   –> Keep *virtual* meetings short enough to keep attention span
6. Encourage participation.
   –> Let committee chairs cover relevant agenda items
   –> Ask for feedback by subgroup
   –> Allot time for discussion

A more engaged board of directors equals a more sustainable organization, a more strategic organization and a more impactful organization.

Here’s how we can help:

We’re here to offer assistance, provide guidance or connect you to an individual or entity who can help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out

Download our handy one-pager, Quick Tips to Improve Board Meeting Efficiency & Communication.