Re-Energizing Nonprofit Boards & Staff

2011 Jean Block Consulting, Inc. 1

DO I SMELL SMOKE ? ? ?
Re-Energizing Your Board and Staff

2

Presented by Jean Block
Jean Block Consulting, Inc./Social Enterprise Ventures, LLC

More than 45 years as Board and Staff leader for local,
regional and national nonprofits.

Author: Fast Fundraising Facts for Fame & Fortune
The ABCs of Building Better Boards

www.jblockinc.com
www.socialenterpriseventures.com

jean@jblockinc.com
505.899.1520

2011 Jean Block Consulting, Inc.

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Let’s Talk About Burn Out
•Is the Board Room Getting Smoky?

•Is Smoke Curling Around the Staff Break
Room?

•Do You Need Some New Energy and
Enthusiasm?

•Are You Having FUN?


Recognizing Burn Out
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 In the Board
 Low or spotty attendance at Board meetings.
 Lack of a quorum.
 Lack of follow through.
 Lack of vision and planning.
 Individualism – personal agendas.
 Disengagement…disinterest…


Recognizing Burn Out
5

 In the Staff
 Absenteeism.
 Excuses. Complaints.
 Passive attitudes…”I can’t, It doesn’t matter, etc.”
 “Circle the Wagons” mentality.
 Boredom.
 “But we’ve always done it that way.”


6

Motivated vs. Unmotivated?

Which Do You Want for Your Organization?


Motivated vs. Unmotivated
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 Motivated: active, energized, curious, engaged, creative,
responsive.
 Unmotivated: passive, mechanical, disinterested, disengaged.

 Motivated: make better, faster, more creative decisions.
 Unmotivated: avoid making decisions, rely on others to make
decisions for them, repeat decisions made in the past.


Motivated vs. Unmotivated
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 Motivated: anticipate problems, are ready with a plan, follow
through.
 Unmotivated: don’t think ahead, don’t follow up.

 Motivated: show initiative, care.
 Unmotivated: don’t, don’t don’t…


Closer to Home …
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What Do You See in Your
Organization?


Question: Can You Motivate Someone?
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Definition: Motivation is an inner urge that
prompts or moves a person to action.
It Comes from within.

We cannot actually motivate anyone, but we can
create motivating environments and
opportunities.


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10 Ideas to
Re-Energize Your
Board


#1…
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 Re-Invest in Mission and Purpose
 Tour of agency and facilities.
 Client presentation at Board meetings.
 Mission printed on all meeting agendas.
 Statistics, outcomes, accomplishments at every meeting.


#2 …
13

 Ask and Listen
 Why are you on the Board?
 What do you want to accomplish?
 How can we engage you and your talents more
effectively?


#3 …
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 Get on the Same Page
 Recruit effectively and honestly (Time, Talent, Treasure).
 Job description (sample at www.jblockinc.com).
 Provide orientation to the agency, the roles and
responsibilities…repeat snippits often.


#4 …
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 Put the Pieces Together
 Annual planning retreat to set annual goals.
 Report on accomplishments at every Board meeting.
 Hold accountable.
 Have a purpose for meetings!
 Communicate, communicate, communicate in a variety
of ways as often as possible.


#5 …
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 Value Board Member’s Time at Meetings
 Start meetings on time.
 Send materials in advance.
 Consider a consent agenda to minimize time.
 Require written committee reports…no droning on and
on…keep committee work in committees.


#6 …
17

 Value and Appreciate
 Thank regularly and often.
 Personalize it!
 Print it (newsletter, newspaper, web site, etc.)
 Thank their supporters (secretary, family, dog).
 Feature “Board Member of the Month”.


#7 …
18

 Bless and Release
 Annual commitment letter (sample at
www.jblockinc.com).
 Guilt-free exit!
 Re-assign to new opportunity.


#8 …
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 Have fun
 Social events.
 Include family, clients, staff, etc.


#9 and #10…
20

Model the Behavior You Expect from
Your Board!

Have Fun! Be Inspired! Be Motivated!


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10 Ideas to
Re-Energize Your
Staff


#1 …
22

 Provide Ongoing Opportunities for Growth
 Identify and involve in special projects.
 Training opportunities (themselves and for others).
 Temporary changes with other shifts, departments.
 Invite civic groups to meet at your office so employees
can attend.
 “Sell” their skills to other departments for short-term
assignments.


#2 …
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 Give Employees a Sense of Purpose
 People are motivated when they feel that they are part
of something larger than their specific jobs.
 Share budget, financials, etc. across all departments.
 Involve employees with managers on problem-solving
teams.
 Give employees opportunities to chair meetings.


#3 …
24

 Involve Employees in the Mission
 Hold monthly/quarterly meetings with staff and
management to discuss current status, plans for future,
triumphs/issues, Q&A’s; criticism, suggestions, discussion
encouraged.
 Ask staff to develop mission statements for their
department/job.


#4 …
25

 Recognize Employees
 Acknowledgement and appreciation are top motivators
of employee performance.
 Circulate, talk, listen, acknowledge accomplishments as
they occur.
 Write thank you notes to employees.
 Names tags with years of service.
 Make copies of client raves; send with notes of
appreciation.


#5 …
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 Develop Ownership and Goals
 Develop goals with each employee; let them decide
how they will be accomplished.
 Emphasize how these goals contribute to the larger
organization.


#6 …
27

 Appreciate Employees
 Pads of colored paper printed with heading “Notes to
My Terrific Team Mate”; encourage staff to surprise
one another with acknowledgements. Post on
office/cubicle walls.
 Create 2-part thank you notes: part 1 goes to
employee; part 2 enters quarterly raffle for gift
certificates.


#7 …
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 Recognize Accomplishment
 Send email blast to entire organization asking
everyone to applaud (literally) the achievements of an
individual or unit at a specific time. At the appointed
hour, clapping resounds throughout building.
 Someone runs up and down the halls ringing a bell,
blowing a kazoo or noise maker; everyone comes
running; announcement of achievement; congratulations
and celebration.

More #7 …
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 Name a sandwich in the cafeteria, an event, something
after an employee for a month.
 Assign the perfect parking spot (marked with employee
name) for a month.
 Use newsletters to: invite staff to praise other staff,
feature stories on employees, include bios of
employees.
 Create a Hall of Fame wall with photos of high
performing employees.
 Create photo albums showing the progress of projects
and all participating members.


#8 …
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 Bless and Release
 Encourage employees to follow their dreams (even if it
isn’t with your agency).


#9 and #10 …
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HAVE FUN!
Model the Behavior You Expect from
Your Employees!
Have Fun! Be Inspired! Be Motivated!


Thanks…
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Thanks to Cate Cardwell
WonderOrganizations, Inc.
for some of these great ideas.
www.wonderorganizations.com


More Thanks …
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Thanks for all you are doing to improve the lives of
those most vulnerable!

How can I help you?
Contact me: jean@jblockinc.com


Re-Energizing Nonprofit Boards & Staff

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