Anne Yurasek, MBA May 20, 2008 FIO Partners, LLC

Welcome Welcome Introductions Overview of Tonight’s Agenda

Welcome

Introductions

Overview of Tonight’s Agenda

Defining Diversity

What is Diversity? “ The state of being different or diverse . When used to describe people and population groups, diversity encompasses such factors as age, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, and religion, as well as education, professional background, and marital and parental status.” - Girl Scouts USA “ Differences among people or peoples reflected in a variety of forms, including but not limited to race, culture, perspective, talent, interest, ability, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, language and socio-economic status.” - Dr. Percy Bates, University of Michigan

“ The state of being different or diverse . When used to describe people and population groups, diversity encompasses such factors as age, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, and religion, as well as education, professional background, and marital and parental status.” - Girl Scouts USA

“ Differences among people or peoples reflected in a variety of forms, including but not limited to race, culture, perspective, talent, interest, ability, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, language and socio-economic status.” - Dr. Percy Bates, University of Michigan

Trouble with Tokenism Source: Flickr

Embracing Difference in All Forms… ...to create a healthy and effective Board of Directors that can best support the mission of the organization. Source: Flick - luxamartr

Diversity & Nonprofit Boards: The Challenge

Some Good News… 64% believe “Our Board of Directors currently reflects the racial diversity of our service area.” and “Our Board of Directors currently reflects the racial diversity of the clients we serve.” 67% believe “It is the goal of our Board of Directors to reflect the racial diversity of our service area.”, while 60% believe “It is a goal of our Board of Directors to reflect the racial diversity of clients we serve.” 95% of respondents believe “It is important to have a racially diverse Board of Directors.” Highlights from 2007 Survey on Racial Diversity of Boards in Middlesex County

64% believe “Our Board of Directors currently reflects the racial diversity of our service area.” and “Our Board of Directors currently reflects the racial diversity of the clients we serve.”

67% believe “It is the goal of our Board of Directors to reflect the racial diversity of our service area.”, while 60% believe “It is a goal of our Board of Directors to reflect the racial diversity of clients we serve.”

95% of respondents believe “It is important to have a racially diverse Board of Directors.”

What are some of the Challenges? “Network Recycling Effect” Time and travel requirements for attending meetings and events Over-commitment of those who may be interested in being board members Lack of board/organization values around diversity Finding skilled individuals interested in serving Others?

“Network Recycling Effect”

Time and travel requirements for attending meetings and events

Over-commitment of those who may be interested in being board members

Lack of board/organization values around diversity

Finding skilled individuals interested in serving

Others?

What is the Impact? No identification or common ground with populations served by the organization Limited networks Limited funding sources Difficulty in developing new ideas/concepts Worst case scenario – group think. Others?

No identification or common ground with populations served by the organization

Limited networks

Limited funding sources

Difficulty in developing new ideas/concepts

Worst case scenario – group think.

Others?

A Framework for Creating Change on Your Board

Initiating a Conversation about Diversity Mission Business Responsible Corporation

Framework for Creating Change Assess Current Situation Define Diversity for Your Organization Recruit and Attract New Board Members Retain Board Members

Define Diversity for Your Organization Agree and examine your reasons for seeking diversity Develop a Statement of Purpose "We will strive to have two or more members of our board be parents whose children are residents in our treatment program." "To help us reach and reach meaningfully the Latino population we want to serve, we are committed to a board that is 40% or more from the Latino/Hispanic community."

Agree and examine your reasons for seeking diversity

Develop a Statement of Purpose

Assess Current Situation Source: King County United Way What is the current composition of your board?

Recruiting/Attracting New Board Members Evaluate Your Recruitment Plan Identify new activities/efforts to undertake Post your "Great Board Member Wanted" ad on free websites "One Hour Recruiting Task Force“ Promote from the ranks Board Member Swap Assess your efforts quarterly and adjust as necessary Other Ideas?

Evaluate Your Recruitment Plan

Identify new activities/efforts to undertake

Post your "Great Board Member Wanted" ad on free websites

"One Hour Recruiting Task Force“

Promote from the ranks

Board Member Swap

Assess your efforts quarterly and adjust as necessary

Retaining Board Members Involve your Board Members Be conscious of Board Member burnout Augment Board committees with additional volunteers Engage Board Members by sharing organization success stories Assess the health of your Board periodically and address concerns Other ideas?

Involve your Board Members

Be conscious of Board Member burnout

Augment Board committees with additional volunteers

Engage Board Members by sharing organization success stories

Assess the health of your Board periodically and address concerns

Other ideas?

First Steps

Q&A

Closing Comments