5 Little Understood Factors About a Board Member’s Role – Part 3 of “The 3 Ways We Go Wrong Asking Nonprofit Boards to Help Raise Funds"

In Jewish tradition the “Gabbai Tzedekah,” the money collector, held a very special and esteemed role as the collector and disburser of funds to help the poor. The root of “tzedekah” means justice; it was simply the right thing to do to help. The Gabbai risked him/herself, in some ways, for the sake of the community. In return, these enablers of justice were highly respected.

Collecting for the poor is an honored tradition, and the collectors were esteemed as much — if not more — than the givers.

Which brings us to one of the roles of the nonprofit board member. This role is particularly important because, without the initiative and efforts of these leaders, the necessary funds to fulfill the organization’s mission would not be collected. Do you ask your board to participate in bringing in donations? Do they help, or do they resist?

Board members need your help to fulfill their important role.

Unlike the old days in the village, people aren’t born today knowing how to fulfill the “gabbai tzedekah” role. And they certainly don’t learn about it in school. Some folks are lucky to be brought up in families where this is role modelled. But, most board members need your help and support. Alas, we often go wrong when asking boards to help raise funds. My previous posts were about the first and second ways we go wrong. Today’s post digs into the third reason.

Leading the way towards change

We can assist our board members by helping them to understand these 5 little-known factors about their role. Board members are all these things:

To paraphrase Lewis Carroll, “if you don’t know where you’re going any road will take you there.”  Well, often donors know wherethey want to go; they’re simply clueless howto get there.  They want to help the homeless, but don’t know which organization does an effective job.  They want to stop global warming, but fear the problem is too insurmountable for them to make a difference. The board member/fundraiser can be the guide donors need to show them how to meet their objectives/enact their values through your organization.

A great guide is one who not only shows you the path but who makes it easy for you to get to the end of the road.  When we tell inspiring stories… when we provide data about numbers of people helped… when we demonstrate how effective our organization is… then it becomes easy for someone to decide to become a donor-investor. When the board member/fundraiser is equipped by staff with everything they need to inspire others to join them, they can then facilitate the journey.

In What Fishing Can Teach Us About Fundraising  we learn that when we look for prospective donors we seek folks with (1) linkages to our organization, (2) an interest in our cause and (3) an ability to give.  The most important starting place is linkages because that means a warm, rather than a cold, call.  It’s really difficult to get people’s attention these days, so a board member with connections can make a huge difference. The board member can be the door opener who helps to build a relationship that will lead to a donation once the prospect learns more about the organization’s vital mission.

We are products of a herd mentality.  Monkey see; monkey do.  Follow the leader. Unless board members give and ask it’s unlikely others will follow suit.  In fact, funders will often ask: “What’s the board doing?” There’s really nothing more important for the board to do than lead; board members must ‘walk the talk’ that will assure the organization’s sustenance and longevity.

Again, people are hugely influenced by what others do and think.  Board members provide testimony that what your organization does is good.  Essentially, they do the legwork and vetting of your charity on behalf of the prospective donors they approach.  Board members provide the gift of the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”

The role of the board member is not to be a money grubber.  Their role is to be a catalyst for change. It’s not about money.  It’s about building and sustaining relationships, in order to change the world. It’s about doing the right thing… seeking justice… doing unto others… and that’s something about which your board member is already passionate. The actual moment of asking is one small step in a process.

How to Be a Successful, Fearless Fundraiser in Just 3 Simple Steps