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 l
