Getting the right people ‘on the bus’ for your nonprofit
In his book, Good to Great and the Social Sectors, Jim Collins states that one of the keys to organizational success is “getting the right people on the bus.”
This is particularly true in the nonprofit world where recruiting, selecting and retaining engaged and committed board members is so important.
In this column, we’ll discuss what to look for in prospective board members, a preferred process by which to assess and select those members, and how to retain and engage board members so they can help the organization advance its mission.
I’m often asked “What skills and talents should we recruit for our board? Financial acumen, human resource skills, grant writers, legal professionals, fundraising experts?”
While those areas of technical expertise are important and may be represented on a board of directors, they are secondary to the most important factor: a passion for the organization and its mission.
One can learn and/or access skills, but not attitude. My guess is that all chief professional officers have inherited a board member who was recruited with a very specific skill in mind, and as a result focuses on that issue, but can’t see or won’t understand the big picture.
Attitude and passion are indicators of steadfastness and commitment that gets the job done.
So if people with passion are right people you want on the bus, how do you select them? The simple answer is this: probably not the way many if not most of us have been recruited to boards. You know how the phone call goes.
“Hey, Russ. I’m a member of XYZ board of directors, and we have an opening. Would you like to join our board?”
Yes, that’s happened to me, but not by boards on which I currently serve. Instead try this process.
Gather names of folks who might have an interest. Begin a series of informal meetings with those prospects, again only to start a dialogue without commitment from either party.
Test their interest. Listen for the passion. Take time to re-introduce the organization, review the roles and responsibilities, expected time commitment, and fundraising expectations; and most importantly, don’t soft-sell those commitments.
Some of you may know how that goes: “Oh, don’t worry. It’s really pretty easy. You won’t have to do that much.”
If a prospect expresses interest, provide her with an application to be completed and then reviewed and prioritized by the committee.
Top candidates meet with the committee which subsequently submits a list of candidates to the board.
Without candidates present, members of the board can openly and honestly discuss each candidate’s strengths, confidentially raise any concerns, and then vote on the candidates.
Yes, this process is timeconsuming, but if you are committed to getting the right people on the bus, there is no
RUSS HAYWARD
substitute. As a mentor of mine once said, “Go slow to go fast.”
Here's another question to be addressed: how long should a board member be allowed on the bus, what are the term limits for that ride?
Term limits on length of member service are important for the vitality and growth of any nonprofit organization, but not all organizations either have or want them, even though they are considered a significant “best practice” for governance.
I worked with one organization with a board of over thirty-five members precisely because there were no term limits, and as you might guess, they had major trouble getting things done; in fact the folks who had been there the longest considered it their duty to obstruct any change.
And as a result, the organization struggled. A good standard practice is to limit terms to two consecutive three year terms, with one year off the board before being eligible to be re-elected to the board.
The best way to retain new as well as current board members is to make sure that they believe their work is meaningful.
Passionate board members are motivated by utilizing their skills and exercising their intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
At a board retreat, I once asked members why they were involved with the organization. Not a one answered that they liked to review financial statements, deal with personnel matters, or raise money.
While all those oversight functions are necessary, all responded that it was the organization’s mission that kept them involved.
Here are two other brief suggestions to keep former board members engaged. First, develop a “Friends of the XYZ” or ambassadors group. My old boss at United Way developed such a group with over 100 members; members completed one task each year, thereby keeping them engaged and committed. Second, educate members at board meetings.
Years ago, I was a member of a board of trustees responsible for a trust worth well over $50 million; we received highly technical financial information, and since we only met quarterly, retaining the information was difficult (at least for me).
As chair, I instituted a onetopic, special orientation at each meeting for new and current members so we could grow in our fiduciary roles.
So go out and get those “right people for your bus.”
You’ll be surprised how many folks have a passion for how your organization is building a stronger community.
Tuesday Tunes at the Lodi Public Library
Visit the Lodi Public Library on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. to hear this month’s Tuesday Tunes at the Library.
The library features local musicians every first Tuesday of the month. Ukuladyz & Gentz will be this month’s performer, playing their ukuleles.
Gather in the magazine area for an intimate concert or listen as you read a book nearby.
Free genealogy help at the Chavez Central Library
The San Joaquin County Genealogical Society will provide volunteers to help research your ancestry free of charge on the first and last Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second floor of the Cesar Chavez Central Library, 605 N. Eldorado St, Stockton. For more information call 209-474-6448.
Light of Hope Community Candlelight Remembrance
Lodi Community Outreach will host the annual Light of Hope Community Candlelight Remembrance on Friday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at Lodi Funeral Home, located at 725 South Fairmont Avenue in Lodi.
The Light of Hope Community Candlelight Remembrance, designed to promote comfort, hope and healing, is an opportunity for the Lodi community to come together to honor the memory of departed loved ones.
This unique community candlelight experience will feature special music by RiverBells Sacramento and Carolers In Motion; an uplifting message by Cami Ferri; an interactive community candle lighting ceremony with local Pastor Frank Nolton and a hot cocoa and cookie social. Each guest will receive a special gift to honor the memory of their loved one. The remembrance is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring family and friends with them.
Winter Feast-Italian Scholarship Dinner
The San Joaquin Delta College Culinary Arts Program is hosting a Winter Feast-Italian Scholarship Dinner on Dec. 7 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Danner Hall.
Culinary Arts students will bring guests an evening of joy, food and fun. Enjoy live music and a silent auction.
There will also be no host local wine and beer available. Tickets are available online at
or by visiting Danner Hall 103 Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more information call 209-954-5099 or email
St. John’s Church holding Celtic Solstice Eucharist
A Celtic Solstice Eucharist will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road. This Eucharist will explore fire and light as symbols for the light of Creation and the light of Christ present in the Trinity. Weather permitting, those attending will gather around a bonfire outside, just as was the custom with ancient and medieval worshippers.
Similar to the Easter fire celebration, the fire will be blessed and the light of Christ will be spread among the congregation and carried into the church.
Sitting in a circle, worshippers will consider the prologue of the Gospel of St. John and the light of Creation before circling around the altar to receive Communion.
Music for the service will be provided by Music Director Kristy Well. A potluck finger food reception will follow the service, to which all are welcome. For further information, please call 209-369-3381 during the morning from Monday through Thursday.
Hill House Museum holding annual Open House
Celebrate the beauty of the Queen Anne Victorian Hill House at the annual free Open House on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Home baked cookies and cider will be served.
The event is sponsored by the Lodi Historical Society.
The Hill House is located at 826 S. Church St.