Slides from Expand Your Reach - Engage Your Board breakout session, HFH MN statewide conference, March 2011.

1. Expand Your Read:
Engage Your Board

2. Who is here?
2

3. Lori L. Jacobwith
• 20+ years as a communication
strategist & fundraising coach
• Measurable: Helped
organizations raise over $100
million in last 10 years.
• Impact: My work creates
environments where people find
ease in their work with, and their
conversations about money.
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4. Where we are heading today

5. Getting Past The Past
What are your
biggest
challenges
with your
board?

6. Definition
Service:
Contribution to the
welfare of others.
The act of serving or a
helpful act.
~ Source: Merriam-Webster dictionary

7. Definition
Development:
The total process by
which an organization
increases public
understanding of its
mission and acquires
financial support for its
programs.
~ Source: AFP Fundraising Dictionary,
(Association of Fundraising Professionals)

8. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Secret
Communication
Communication
Communication

9. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
9

10. Thousands of messages barrage
us every single day.
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11. Board Communication
What information do you share to allow
board members to shine?

12. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Be clear about the duties and responsibilities of
the board members:
• Determine the Organization's Mission and Purpose
• Engage in Strategic Thinking and Planning
• Approve and Monitor the Organization's Work
• Ensure Adequate Financial Resources
• Provide Effective Fiscal Oversight
• Ensure Sound Risk Management Policies

13. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Be clear about the duties and responsibilities of
the board members:
• Select and Support the Chief Executive and Review
Their Performance
• Enhance the Organization's Public Image
• Carefully Select and Orient New Board Members and
Board Leaders
• Maintain Board Structure and Operations
• Organize & Participate on Committees and Task Forces

14. “Feeling good is what
nonprofits sell.”
~ Seth Godin, Author & Marketing guru

15. Board Communication
1. Includes listening.
2. It’s personal.
3. Provides meaningful feedback
both ways.

16. Money
How does money given bring joy?

17. Expand Your Reach Engage Your Board
1. What has our financial track record
been?
2. What are our income source(s) and
cost structures?
3. What kind of financial flexibility do
we have?
4. Know your pledge redemption
history and be prepared for
changes.
5. How financially sophisticated is our
board and staff? Our donors?

18. What is missing?

19. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
What’s missing in your current
communication with your board?
• What do you want them to do
more of?
• What would a successful and fully
engaged board look like?

20. Expanding Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Your Communication
You have a rare
opportunity to empower
people to feel like a super
hero.
To cause a connection that
deeply aligns with that
person’s highest ideals and
values.

21. Habitat for Humanity
What is
working with
your board?

22. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
“Thank and Release”
Annual Elections
Term Limits Are Your Friend
On the board v. On Board

23. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Measuring Success
Clarify and commit to the duties &
responsibilities of the board especially in
development.
• What measures does your organization
have for the board?
• Who on the board is your partner to
ensure expectations are met?

24. Your Organization Name Here
Governance Scorecard
Full Board and Committee Participation Board Donor Contact and Financial Support
80% 100
$9,000
70% 90
$8,000
60% Board Target 80
$7,000
70
50% $6,000
Actual 60
40% 50 Target $5,000
Committee 40 Actual $4,000 Raised
30%
Target $3,000
30
20% Actual
20 $2,000
10% 10 $1,000
0% 0 $0
Q109 Q209 Q309 Q409 2009 2010 2009 Pledged
Visibility Building Participation Board Member Annual Event Participation
45 80%
40 70%
35 60%
30 50%
25 40%
Target Target
20 30%
Actual Actual
15
20%
10
10%
5
0%
0 Phone- Annual Open Fun
2009 2010
a-thon Dinner House Run

25. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board

26. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Powerful
contributions are
made when:
People are in touch with
their purpose, their vision,
and with the difference
they make.
~ Lynne Twist: Fundraising From the Heart

27. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Powerful
contributions are
made when:
People see that the work
you are asking them to
fund really makes a
difference.
~ Lynne Twist: Fundraising From the Heart

28. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Powerful contributions
are made when:
Someone asks, giving them
an opportunity to contribute.
~ Lynne Twist: Fundraising From the Heart

29. Expand Your Reach Engaging Your Board
Remove
phrases like
“the board doesn’t
do enough”
from your
vocabulary

30. Trustees can inspire confidence. Board
members have an unusual opportunity
to inspire people & set an example.
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31. Tell:
One thing you are
going to change at
your organization
One ah ha you had
in this session
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32. Connecting with Lori
Blog and monthly e-Newsletter
Membership – special offer
Key Note & Breakout Sessions
Customized Fundraising Action
Planning Sessions
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33. Thank you!
Lori Jacobwith
lori@LoriJacobwith.com
www.LoriJacobwith.com
952- 949-2105
http://twitter.com/LJacobwith