Care And Feeding Of Your Board Of Directors

"The care and feeding of our board is an oft-neglected art. And I do not say that lightly - it really is an art. Drawing a board member into happy action on behalf of our cause is much like the delicate process of cultivating a potential major donor. No wonder our board members are not more active. No wonder they sometime hurriedly take the short way out by latching onto quick, ineffective solutions to whatever challenge is at hand...

We have to spend the effort to deepen their relationship with our organizations. We can evoke what they are passionate about and fan the flames of their desire to see change happen for the good. We have to be present, to listen to them, offer varying ways they can become involved, and act on their suggestions. It is called cultivating their involvement - just like we do with our donors."