As a nonprofit leadership coach, my clients often share their frustrations with their Boards of Directors. Their Boards refuse to step up and help raise money and provide meaningful strategic direction. Many struggle just to get their Board members to show up at meetings and follow through on commitments.
As a recovering nonprofit Executive Director myself, I know how working with a Board can feel like a thankless task. As difficult as your Board may be, you ignore that relationship at your peril.
Following the life cycle of a Board from recruitment to retirement, here are a series of tips to transform your Board into active and engaged ambassadors.
Strong Board Relationships
Building a strong relationship with your nonprofit Board of Directors is essential for the success and sustainability of your organization. Your Board can be your most valuable asset. They can offer support, guidance, and advocacy that can propel your organization’s mission forward. While having a strong committed staff, loyal donors, and deep community partnerships are important for your agency’s success, the relationship you cultivate with your Board is essential.
When things are going well with your Board, you feel supported, respected and have access to a deep well of community ties. Your Board relationship can provide you thought partners, reliable advocates for you and your organization and knowledgeable support of your leadership.
Typical Board Challanges
However, many nonprofit leaders face challenges in cultivating these relationships, with issues ranging from disengagement to outright hostility.
When the Board relationship is dysfunctional, you feel frustrated, ignored and alone. Improving the relationship with their Board of Directors is one of the top issues for my nonprofit Executive Director coaching clients.
Common struggles with bad Board behavior:
- Inconsistently attending meetings
- Coming to meeting unprepared
- Refusal to make decisions
- Not volunteering for tasks
- Refusing to raise funds
- Lacking follow- through on commitments.
- Inappropriately contacting staff
- Hoarding their community connections
Given the mixed messages for women in positions of authority, Board relationships are one the unique challenges for women nonprofit leaders .There is still discomfort in accepting a woman’s expertise and gender stereotypes of how a woman can lead authentically and effectively.
When your Board is functioning well, it can be a powerful force for your organization. A strong Board provides:
- Thought Partnership: Board members can serve as trusted advisors, helping you navigate complex issues.
- Advocacy and Ambassadorship: An engaged Board can open doors, connect you with key stakeholders,funders, and champion your cause.
- Support and Guidance: Whether you’re dealing with legal challenges, public relations crises, or internal policy changes, a supportive Board can offer invaluable advice and emotional backing.
By investing time and effort into building a strong relationship with your Board, they can transform from a burden into a powerful asset. With the right approach, your Board can become a group of engaged, informed advocates who help you achieve your mission and support you as a leader.
If you need immediate help with your Board of Directors, grab a 90-minute strategy session to improve your Board functioning.
It is possible to change the dynamics of your nonprofit Board relationship- let’s break down how to get there from following the cycle of Board involvement from recruitment through retirement.
My 9-part Framework for Strong Board Communication & Relationships
- Board Recruitment– Use a targeted approach for a diverse Board with the skills your organization needs.
- Board Orientation and Training– Create a culture of learning and self-improvement.
- Supporting Your Board Chair’s Leadership– Seven-Steps to support your Board Chair so they can lead the Board effectively.
- How to Create Awesome Board Committees– Develop a structure to support board engagement.
- An Executive Director’s Guide for Successful Board Meetings-Structure your meetings to encourage meaningful participation.
- Productive Staff/Board Boundaries– Ways to keep both groups informed and productive.
- Handling Bad Board Behavior– How to respond without losing your cool
- Board Self-Assessments- Getting your Board to responsibly identify their strengths and challenges
- Healthy Board Turn-Over- Gracefully helping members exit to keep your Board fresh