This document discusses strategies for engaging and empowering nonprofit boards of directors. It notes that nonprofits are major contributors to the US economy and that effective board engagement is important. The document emphasizes that communication, understanding board members' motivations for joining, and aligning their goals with the organization's mission are keys to a successfully engaged board. It also provides some tools for improving board engagement, such as board mentoring and succession planning.

2. ENGAGED: Strategies to Engage and Energize Your Board of Directors On the Board vs. On Board

3. Welcome! Who Is Here?

4. Though many people are not aware of it, the nonprofit industry is an enormous contributor to the American economy. Nonprofits employ over 12.9 million individuals, roughly 10% of the country’s workforce and in 2009, charitable giving totaled over 303 billion dollars, 75% of those dollars come from individuals committed to building healthy individuals and strong communities.

5. Rebecca Gordon, CFRE [email_address] www.rebeccagordon.org 573-338-3773 Twitter @rgordongor6

6. Where Are We Heading Today?

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

11. Development: The total process by which an organization increase public understanding of its mission and acquires financial support for its programs. - Source: AFP Fundraising Dictionary

12. The Secret to Engaging YOUR Board.

13. “ Feeling good is what nonprofits sell.” Seth Godin, Author

15. “ The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place” George Bernard Shaw

18. Information Seeking Behavior Where do we seek our information?

21. Top of Mind Awareness – Created and Reinforced by the organization and its leadership. First position is important because the business that is in the first position is 2X more profitable than the business in 2 nd position and 4X more profitable than the business in 3 rd position. Mark Dahl Accountable Marketing Research Group

22. Okay, that’s marketing – but how do we translate this to engaging our board?

23. Powerful contributions are made when: People are in touch with their purpose, their vision and with the difference they make. When it is clear that a board member’s goals are clear and ATTAINABLE – they are engaged to succeed! Lynne Twist – Fundraising From the Heart

24. Your Communication: You have an opportunity to empower people to feel like a super hero. To cause a connection that deeply aligns with that person’s highest ideas and values.

26. So What Does All of this Mean? Have you ever asked your board members………… WHY THIS ORGANIZATION? WHY THIS BOARD? WHY NOW?

27. Listen to their responses: Board Members are our biggest donors, advocates, sponsors, partners. An engaged board starts with board members who feel successful and know how their contributions impact the organization. The difference between being

28. Tools for Board Engagement Success Board Mentoring Succession Planning Board Elections Term Limits The Power of “Bless and Release”

29. Pots of Gold! Board engagement is about - connecting a board members passion, their motivations, with our mission.

30. Need A Checkup? Free 30 Minute – One-on-One Sessions Starting at 3:30 – Register After Session.

32. THANK YOU! Rebecca Gordon, CFRE [email_address] 573-338-3773 www.rebeccagordon.org http://twitter.com/rgordongor6