October 2007 E-bulletin

FEATURE ARTICLE
Building Your Board for Increased Competency and Engagement
RELATED RESOURCES
New Resources Added to Volunteer Manitoba's Collection
TIPS & TOOLS
How to find Potential Board Members
SPECIAL EVENTS
1) Partnership with MAVA: Build Staff Competence to Work Effectively with Volunteers - In-House Training Tool
2) Seminar: Pandemic Planning - Preparedness Guidelines
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
Recipients of the Premier's Individual Volunteer Service Awards (2007)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Volunteer Management Certificate Program - reformatted & revitalized
CAHRD Career Fair, November 1
Fundraising Opportunities at the MTS Centre
Power Smart/Winnipeg Jaycees Santa Claus Parade November 17
National Philanthropy Day Celebration, November 30

FEATURE ARTICLE
Building Your Board for Increased Competency and Engagement
By: Tracy Douglass

"If the Directors from your board were abducted by aliens would anyone notice? And would anyone pay to get them back?"

If the directors of your board are not competent and engaged, you will probably say "No" to these questions.

One common issue that I see from our "Quick Answers to Quick Questions" free consultation service for Boards (for more information follow this link...) is what to do with board members that show up but don't participate or a board member that only attends 1/2 the meetings. The board doesn't want to get rid of them because they have important skills that the board needs. This is an example of a competent board member who is not engaged.

Another issue I see often is a board made up of enthusiastic and willing members who know the community and are committed to the organization but do not have any other skills to bring to the table. This is an example of engaged board members who are lacking key competencies.

Both these issues can be traced back to the recruitment, selection, and orientation methods used by that organization. The nomination committee often relies on whomever is available from a relatively "closed circle of friends and supporters" already known to the organization or the committee members.

Board recruitment needs to be about identifying skills first and then using this to identify potential recruits.

Using a board recruitment matrix is the best way to make sure any recruitment activity is focused. By outlining all the skills your board needs to operate effectively and then identifying the skills you already have, you then can see exactly what skills are missing. You now have clear recruitment criteria when you start approaching people. This then leads to a board filled with competent members.

The way to improve the engagement of your board members is also connected to how you recruit them. Your Recruitment Matrix shows what skills you are needing for your board. When you approach people with these skills, you explain to them exactly why you want them to be on the board. You are showing them what they are expected to contribute at the meetings and they then know what they are agreeing to do.

By knowing what is expected of them they will feel valued, plus they will understand the responsibility they agreeing to fulfill. By agreeing to be on your board, they have committed to using their skills and they will be fully engaged in the board activities.

To learn how to improve your board meetings, learn more about board governance, and how to plan effectively for succession see our Board Development Workshops...

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RELATED RESOURCES

New Resources Added to Volunteer Manitoba's Collection

Here is a list of new resources we have recently added to our resource library:

Awakening the Workplace: Achieving Connection, Fulfillment, and Success at Work

From Good to Great and From Good to Great and the Social Sectors

Fundraiser's Phrase Book

Fundraising Basics: A complete Guide, 2nd Edition

Fundraising for Board Members and Volunteers: A how-to manual

Level Best: How small and grassroots non-profits can tackle evaluation and talk results

Not-for-Profit Organizations in Manitoba: Beginning and Incorporating

Not-for-Profit Organizations in Manitoba: Director's Liabilities

Speak Out! Life Strategies by Women, For Women

Venture Forth! The Essential Guide to Starting a Moneymaking Business in Your Non-profit Organization

What Counts: Social Accounting for Non-profits and Cooperatives

Working With You Is Killing Me: Freeing Yourself from Emotional Traps at Work

To borrow any of these resources, contact Jody, our Resource Coordinator, 477-5180 ext. 223 or email vmresource@mts.net

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TIPS & TOOLS

How to find Potential Board Members
By: Tracy Douglass

A highly effective method to find potential board members is the Circle of Resources Approach as outlined by Susan Ellis in her book "Volunteer Recruitment" which is in our resource library (to borrow this book contact Jody, our resource coordinator, vmresource@mts.net).

I used this technique when I was a board member of an organization and we were seeking a person with financial skills to be on our board. We recruited a person from a nearby business who stayed on our board for two years and helped us build our Finances Committee, train these committee members, and write our Financial Policies. When she joined she knew why she was there and what she was expected to accomplish - she was incredibly competent and engaged.

Step 1: Picture your organization in the middle of a bull's eye. Walk around the block and identify everything you see - stores, houses, churches, apartments, schools, etc. you have now identified your immediate neighbours.

Step 2: Use the same technique to identify everything within a two block radius. And continue until you are ready to start analyzing your list of neighbours.

Step 3: Any neighbours that you do not know anything abut, it's time to do research - what does that business sell? Is this a seniors complex? What ethnic groups are attending the church/school? What professional skills are available at these places? Consultants? Accountants?

Step 4: Make contact. Susan suggests you make a special introductory flyer that outlines your services. Mail or drop off and follow up with a phone call in a week. Use this time to establish a neighbourly connection - you may even identify clients at these meetings.

Step 5: Explain that you are looking for volunteers but make sure you are specific in your request - don't just say you are looking for board members, say you are looking for a person with such and such a skill, to accomplish such and such a task on the board. Ask that if they know of anyone please let you know.

This will be your easiest "cold call" since you already have something in common - you're neighbours and since all sorts of people and businesses volunteer, everyone is a potential source.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

Build Staff Competence to Work Effectively with Volunteers - In-House Training Tool

Join us as Volunteer Manitoba and MAVA introduce an incredible new resource to help you with in-house training for staff to work more effectively with volunteers. This resource contains twelve 55-minute training modules focusing on the personnel management skills needed by staff working with volunteers.

Wednesday, October 17 11:30 - 1:30
$20 (MAVA Members), $25 (Non-members) - includes lunch
To register visit our website to download the PDF registration form - click here

Pandemic Planning: Preparedness Guidelines

A pandemic will likely result in significant and long-term shortages, including the availability of employees, supplies and services. Robert Munro, Manitoba Health, will outline what a pandemic is and what the potential impact will be on your organization’s ability to provide service and access resources. Leave with points of consideration to take back to your organization to start building your own preparedness plan.

October 30, 12pm - 1pm, $10
To register visit our website to download the PDF registration form - click here

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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

Recipients of the Premier's Individual Volunteer Service Awards (2007)

The following outstanding individual volunteers were this year's recipients of the Premier's Individual Volunteer Service Awards:

Jean Fisher - Mariapolis
Nominated by: Edna Desrochers

A volunteer for more than 40 years, Jean was one of eight individuals who initiated a weekly Sunday night bingo in 1967, raising over $224,000 in the last 16 years alone. Jean has also been an active volunteer with numerous other events. Blessed with a seemingly endless energy and the ability to inspire others, Jean Fisher will continue to improve the lives of everyone in the Mariapolis area.

Deborah Thorlakson - Headingly
Nominated by: Rayond Currie, Past President, PrairieAction Foundation

During her time with the Health Sciences Centre Foundation Board, Deborah actively led the Board to develop a donor-centric communications strategy. Through her creative leadership, she pioneered the HealthTalks educational forums and strongly advocating for a quarterly newsletter and the production of an annual magazine, the first of its kind for a charitable organization in Manitoba. Whether the issues are health, education, ethnicity or the arts, Deborah Thorlakson’s visionary leadership, passion and lifelong dedication as a volunteer has served as an inspiration to countless others.

Lawrence Carpenter - Winnipeg
Nominated by: Alan Smith, Counselor, Fort Rouge School

A caretaker at Fort Rouge School, Lawrence recognized a need to mentor students suffering from language barriers, poverty and literacy issues and designed his own ‘Worker Bee’ student empowerment program, a practical skill-based community service program. Since its inception four years ago, the program has had approximately 100 participants, who have also established themselves as student leaders. Graduating students regularly return to the school to visit Lawrence and help out in student classrooms, a testament to the impact he has made on these individuals.

Roland Simard - Lac du Bonnet
Nominated by: Bob Bruneau

An active member of the Lac du Bonnet Lions Club for over 20 years, Roland has been one of the club’s most dedicated volunteers, acting as the Lions Seniors’ Christmas Supper program coordinator since 1984, two terms as President, Zone Chair, Chairman for the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario Lions and participated in the club’s numerous other event and fundraising initiatives. Roland was honoured by the Lions Club with a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest honour in Lions for community service. Thanks to his efforts and leadership, Roland was instrumental in building the Lac du Bonnet Community Hall and Centre. A truly selfless individual, Roland’s friendly and caring personality have made him a sought-after community leader on many committees.

Ollie Romanow - Lynn Lake
Nominated by: Patricia Campbell, Vice-President, Lynn Lake Chamber of Commerce

A volunteer for over 20 years in Lynn Lake, Ollie’s efforts have left a mark on every individual and organization in the community. Using her heart and determination to fuel her perseverance, one of her most remarkable accomplishments is her annual 10 kilometer Walk-a-thon. Despite having polio as a child and walking with a distinct limp, Ollie sets out for a 10km walk each year from Berge Lake Provincial Park to Lynn Lake to raise funds for the Lynn Lake Hospital. Soliciting sponsors and donations from Lynn Lake residents and businesses and as far away as Dubai, Japan, Germany and across Canada, her annual walk has raised $13,907. Ollie Romanow’s civic mindedness, generosity and tireless efforts as a volunteer are an inspiration to the entire Lynn Lake community.

For more stories of the 2007 Volunteer Awards recipients...

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