How to Craft a Nonprofit Board Orientation Strategy
Please don’t leave your new (or old for that matter) board members dangling!
Being a board member is not something we’re generally taught. In fact, it can be a complete mystery. Folks feel proud to have been recruited to join your board, and excited to begin their service, but… what happens next can mean the difference between a fulfilling experience and a disappointing one.
Do you have a board orientation strategy?
I don’t just mean in a dusty handbook somewhere on a shelf or in a file no one can find. I mean a vibrant orientation approach that kicks in the moment your board candidate says “yes” and, subsequently, as soon as they’re voted in by the full board.
Recruitment is just the tip of the iceberg of building an effective board.
It’s an important “tip,” don’t get me wrong. And all too often it’s handled poorly, leading to nothing but problems down the line. One of the most common complaints I hear from nonprofit staff is their board won’t help with fundraising. And the most common reason is the board members tell me: “I wasn’t told I’d have to help with fundraising,” or even worse “I was told I didn’t have to fundraise.”
Don’t put yourself in the bait and switch mode.
From the get-go, explain to prospective board members what’s expected of them. All should be involved in some way in giving and getting. Once they sign on, solidify this agreement and their critical role as ambassadors, advocates and askers during the orientation process.
In my last article I talked about 
Twice at the end of last calendar year I was asked for a major gift.
For good things once a year is not enough. Why do so many of us only eat turkey once a year? 
What if I told you there’s a teensy little digital upsell that could skyrocket your year-end fundraising results? Would that be of interest?
This Thursday folks in the United States will celebrate what I consider to be the social benefit sector holiday of the year.
You asked a bunch of folks to give a year ago. Some did.
You are if your modus operandi is fire fighter.
Studies show 
Have you started working on your annual appeal and year-end fundraising plan?
Your nonprofit’s story is the whole ball of wax.
I’ve taken to including a series of “DO’s” and “DON’Ts” for all sorts of fundraising and nonprofit marketing messages over the past several years. My purpose is not to shame anyone, but simply to provide educational moments offering example-based food for thought as you craft your own appeals, thank you’s, reports and more.
You’ve got one month before fall fundraising season begins in earnest.
What I have for you is something you can do this week (or you can pick another week on your calendar that isn’t already overfilled with appointments, assignments, meetings and what-not). It’s really simple and really powerful. There’s one catch: you have to put aside 45 minutes/day for five days. If you’re resistant to change, read no further. This post isn’t for you. If, however, you have a hunch you might be able to move from good to great, then… read on (oh, and there’s a little bonus ‘gift’ at the end).
Orientation matters; otherwise, everything can become unbalanced and out of whack.
People are unpredictable sometimes. They’re also predictable.
I know you’re working on calendar year-end fundraising right now.
The modern model is more like a vortex — an energized circle where everyone is equal. People move in and out as needed, and your job is to keep the energy flowing.
What do you most need to sustain your nonprofit through thick and thin?
13 happens to be my lucky number. I want it to be lucky for you too.
The Unfair Exchange
You are a 
This Thursday folks in the United States will celebrate what I consider to be the social benefit sector holiday of the year:
Hold the presses! If you haven’t yet sent your year-end fundraising appeal, you’ve time to give your message a once over.
During a crisis is no time to be passive. Build a list of audiences, prioritize contacts among those lists, and develop a step-by-step written PLAN to reach out. With updates, engagement opportunities, little gifts of content folks can use, and opportunities to contribute and make a demonstrable difference.
Last week I shared a number of real-life examples from innovative nonprofits taking creative steps to connect meaningfully to their supporters during these trying times. While staying connected, some organizations are succeeding in stepping up both their marketing and fundraising communications to the next level.