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Volume
2, Issue 1 - January 2000 |
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| Building
A Strong Board of Directors |
I am often asked to advise nonprofits about ways to get their
Boards of Directors "on the same page" ... with each
other and with the agency's expectations for its Board members.
This is not uncommon, in fact, I imagine you have often
struggled with this issue yourself! So often, we are so anxious
to fill vacancies on the Board, or are so steeped in habits for
Board recruitment that we haven't built the foundation upon which
strong Boards are built.
Strong Boards share an understanding - from the start - about
what is expected of individual members.
Before you interview another prospective Board member, develop
a Board Job Description that is very specific
about requirements for time, talent and financial support. Leave
nothing to the imagination or open to misunderstanding. Include
expectations for service on committees, any required training ,
meeting attendance requirements and the date for the annual
retreat. Discuss the job description in detail with all prospects
and ask them to commit fully to the job.
Consider annual Commitment Letters. I
recommend that you include key requirements from the job
description, include important dates and always have an escape
clause:
If, at any time, I am unable to fulfill the
requirements of this Board of Directors, I will give
immediate and appropriate notice of my resignation to the
President of the Board.
Every member of the Board should sign the letter every year to
re-affirm his/her commitment.
Make membership on your Board an honor and a privilege!
Keep the standard for performance high.
Back to Table of Contents
Special
Events Ideas
Tired of the same old special events? Hold a
brainstorming session with staff and volunteers to identify some
new and creative special events. Remember, if an event doesn't
motive your staff and volunteers, it will be hard for them to
motive others!
Breathe some new life into a tired event by
adding or changing the theme. Consider holiday themes at the
"wrong" time of the year. Go country-western and make
invitations from paper lunch bags, name tags cut out from brown
shopping bags and attached with big safety pins, centerpieces of
piles of dirt on bandannas with dried "weeds" and BBQ
for the main course.
Or try a picnic theme in the middle of winter,
with 'outdoor' events indoors such as a golf putting contest and
bad minton games with summer flower or picnic basket centerpieces
and lots of tiny plastic ants all around.
How
about a celebrity waiters dinner with a theme? Invite
"celebrities in their own minds" to purchase a table,
invite their co-workers or friends to be waited on hand and foot.
Encourage waiters to dress up and do crazy things to get tips
(all donated, of course). Hold a live and silent auction and let
the waiters' antics be the entertainment. If you can involve
'real' celebrities in this event, make them floating waiters or
involve them in contests.
Too many small silent auction items? Consider
grouping them by type (or make a surprise box). Jazz up the items
in a basket and make them into raffle prizes. Sell tickets and
draw winners throughout the evening to keep enthusiasm high.
Try a raffle with nothing but gift certificates
for food, services, entertainment, trips, shopping, and gifts.
Certificates are easy to get from merchants and fun to win!
And, most of all, make all your special events FUN!
Back to Table of Contents
Annual
Planning Retreats
One of the most important activities for your
Board of Directors and key staff is the annual planning retreat.
This is the opportunity to refresh the mission and vision, build
strong relationships among volunteers and staff, and set
strategic plans with action steps to accomplish the plans.
When should you hold a retreat? Either before the
year begins, halfway through or whenever you can. There is no
magic formula for success, but make it an annual event. Publicize
the date way in advance and require attendance for Board members
and key staff.
| Be sure the facilitator
is focusing on your
planning needs... |
Consider the benefits of having an outside
facilitator. Facilitators bring objectivity, focus and
experience.
When selecting a facilitator, ask for references
and check them! Be sure the facilitator is focused on your
planning needs and helps your group to develop its own priorities
and plans. It won't be helpful if the facilitator designs
something that you don't "own."
Back to Table of Contents
Fundraising
For Success - Rule #2 - Assume a YES!
If your volunteers are running "I am a lousy
fundraiser ... I can't ever ask anyone for money" tapes to
themselves, they will soon convince themselves that they are,
indeed, what they think they are.
Help volunteers learn how to ask effectively and
gain confidence in themselves.
Use marketing (finding what a prospect needs or
wants) first. Train your volunteers to ask for what is needed,
specifically, and stress the benefits to the prospect (how his
needs will be met by making a contribution in partnership with
your agency).
 |
Practice asking
techniques with volunteers until they are more
comfortable. Teach volunteers to ask and then smile, nod
and say nothing until the prospective donor
either says YES, or begins to negotiate. Help volunteers
learn to negotiate with donors to strengthen the
relationship between your agency and the donor's
business.
As your volunteers gain confidence, they
will change their tapes to "I CAN"
and will maximize their effectiveness.
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Back to Table of Contents
About
Jean Block Consulting, Inc.
I organized my first fundraising event in 1955 when I was
thirteen years old and growing up in a little college town in
Ohio. The event was a backyard carnival for C.A.R.E. and raised
more than $500. Not bad for a kid's effort!
Since then, I have served as volunteer for the Girl Scouts as
a leader, trainer and camp director...as executive director of
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of New Mexico...as campaign
director for the United Way of Central New Mexico, as program and
development director for a hospital...and as a volunteer, Board
member and officer for numerous local, regional and national
nonprofits.
I have taught fundraising skills to staff and volunteers of
nonprofit agencies and organizations for more than 15 years.
In addition, I facilitate strategic planning retreats for
Boards of Directors and staff, help nonprofits develop and
strengthen their Boards and am often called upon as a
motivational speaker on volunteering and service. I am an adjunct
professor at the University of New Mexico, teaching a certificate
course on nonprofit management.
Representative
clients include the Corporation for National Service (Vista and
AmeriCorps), Association of Junior Leagues of America, United
Way, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Civitan International, NM
Association of Chambers of Commerce, Campfire Boys & Girls,
Easter Seal Society, Arthritis Foundation, Big Brothers/Big
Sisters, March of Dimes and more.
My mission is to strengthen the base of support for America's
worthwhile nonprofit agencies and organizations, from school PTAs
to multi-million dollar national and international agencies.
I'd like to help your agency reach its fullest potential.
Please call me or e-mail me to discuss your specific needs.
Jean Block Consulting, Inc.
7915 Cliff Road NW
Albuquerque NM 87120 (505) 899-1520
Fax (505) 890-5285
Email:
Call me - I'd like to help!
|
Back to Table of Contents
Fast
Fundraising Facts for Fame & Fortune © 1997
This book puts the FUN into FUNDraising!
Published in 1997, this work book-play book "teaches the
basics and helps the seasoned development professional remember
what works. Jean's high energy, conversational style makes this
book fun to read. She fills the book with examples that stimulate
your creativity and the format allows the reader to sketch out
great ideas right on the page" says Marlis Hadley, President
of the Easter Seal Society of NM.
"This book
teaches the basics
and helps the seasoned
development professional
remember what works" |
Who should read this book? Volunteers and staff of nonprofit
agencies, churches, schools, support groups, membership
organizations - anyone who is charged with raising money or
in-kind contributions.
Consider giving copies of this book to Board members to
motivate and inspire them can help to get over the fear of
asking.
Call (505) 899-1520 or e-mail me at
to discuss
a volume discount for your group.
|
Order
Now So You Don't Forget!
Go to the Order
Form to order your copy of
Fast Fundraising Facts For Fame & Fortune ©
|
Back to Table of Contents
My
Mission
My mission is to strengthen the base of support for
America's worthwhile nonprofit agencies and organizations, from
school PTAs to multi-million dollar national and international
agencies.
I can help your agency maximize its potential
by:
- Training staff, volunteers and board in fundraising
skills.
- Facilitating Board and Staff Planning Retreats.
- Helping you build a more effective Board of
Directors.
- Assisting with strategic planning.
Call me at (505) 899-1520 or E-mail me at
to discuss
your agency's specific needs.
Jean Block Consulting, Inc.
7915 Cliff Road NW
Albuquerque NM 87120
(505) 899-1520
Fax (505) 890-5285
Email:
Back to Table of Contents
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