How to Enlist Your Dream Team Board

Wouldn’t you love to enlist the right team of people who can catapult your organization to a whole new level?


The Holy Grail: Dream Team Board Member

Yes, that’s the Holy Grail for lots of nonprofits. Getting the boards we need and deserve. Getting the leadership, the skill sets, and the connections.

Then, we just might be able to change the world.

How do you do it?

Creating a great board may seem like an impossible dream. But it’s not.

If you decide that you want to have a high performing board, one that has talented, effective and passionate members who work smoothly together, guess what:  it is entirely possible.

We all know it is not an easy job.

Who is on the board matters of course, as well as how all the members work together.  Lots of the time, it all starts with recruitment: How they are recruited can set up high expectations or lead to failure.

How we enlist our boards has everything to do with their ultimate success, not only in fundraising but in the leadership they offer our organization as well.

Your approach makes all the difference!

The approach you use to enlist new board members can set up your board to be a dynamic team that tackles its charge with energy, responsibility, and heart—or not.

A high-quality, formal, organized enlistment and orientation process will set you apart from other organizations and will ready you and your organization to win.

I’ve created a free workbook: Enlist Your Dream Team Board! to guide you through a step-by-step process to determine what kind of board members you need and give you the right kind of process for recruiting them. If you click on the link, you can download the pdf of the workbook.

I’m giving you charts and checklists for identifying the attributes you want in new board members you seek so they’ll compliment your current board.

Most importantly, I’m showing you how to set expectations properly with a sample Board Member Job Description and Board Member Information Form. And how to discuss these expectations with your board member candidates.

Find out how we can help you achieve your fundraising goals with world-class consulting and custom training.

Partner with us.

Here’s the link again for the workbook: Enlist Your Dream Team Board!

Use this tool to help your Nominating Committee get organized, productive, and help them enlist the best possible leaders to join your board team.

Let me know what you think – I’d love to hear your comments!


Download the workbook

17 replies
  2. Bob Dent says:

    Gail:
    I just downloaded your impressive workbook and found it to be very informative and useful. It will save those who are just starting a non-profit and also those who need to fill a vacancy on an existing Board. I also find your e-mails the best of all I receive regarding nonprofits…bar none!

    Keep up the good work…you are a very smart lady.

  3. Gail says:

    thanks so much Brian! happy to send it to all my friends on the BoardSource linkedin list. Love that discussion group!

  4. Mike Smiley, VP BoD says:

    This was GOOD STUFF.
    We have been working on the transition from “Working Board” to “Governing Board” this year and have laid out a plan. Much of what you have in this workbook simply reinforced our direction, but I am sure we will find it useful as we continue to carve our path.

  6. Alyse Rome says:

    Thanks so much, Gail, for providing yet another excellent resource for non-profit leaders.
    You continue to be a mentor par excellence with a wealth of invaluable resources.

    Keep up the great work!

    Alyse Rome, Founder/President
    Amazing Kids! – Helping kids realize their potential and launch their dreams,
    through team-mentoring and online project-based educational enrichment

  7. Pamela Grow says:

    Typically phenomenal info from you, Gail! Thanks so much for sharing such a valuable resource (I’ve already passed it on to two clients).

    The “right” board can make all the difference in the world. As fundraisers it’s easy to look at only a few qualities (connections, wealth, etc.), forgetting other valuable talents individuals can bring (knowledge of the cause can be huge in helping to evaluate program outcomes).

    Much appreciated!

  8. Susan Sachs says:

    Tx 4 this great resource & for modeling an abundance mentality in tough economic times.

  9. Harry Alba says:

    Hi Gail –
    I recently read your newsletter article in our current Guidestar issue and thought it was great!
    Harry J. Alba, Jr.
    GuideStar USA, Inc

  12. Gayle L. Gifford, ACFRE says:

    Gail,
    I am so with you on enlisting board members to help bring the big vision to fruition. So often in my work with governing committees, I have to ask over and over again “what is it that you really need board members to do? And don’t say “fundraising” as that’s not often the starting point.” They can’t answer the question.

    One additional point I’d like to share in those enlistment conversations. An organization may have targeted a particular recruit for their skills or connections. But too many organizations forget to tell the recruit that and to ask them ” are you willing to use those skills and connections on behalf of our organization?” Never just assume or you’ll be very disappointed.

  13. Betsy Baker says:

    Gail, as I consider you a board development guru, I can’t wait to get my hands on your new workbook. Thanks for sharing such valuable information!

  15. Sandy Rees says:

    When it comes to great and successful nonprofit Boards, I think the key is in the recruiting and orientation. If you get the right people in the right seats around the table, then set the right expectations, you are setting your Board up for tremendous success.

    Thanks for sharing your insights Gail!

    Sandy

  16. Amy Eisenstein says:

    Gail – practical and easy-to-follow, as always. Great guide for nonprofit orgs working on building their boards. It still astonishes me that so many nonprofits are not doing the basics, like regular and ongoing board member recruitment, job descriptions and expectations, etc. Thanks again.

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