Associations Trends Talk: Energize to Mobilize

The Association Trends Talk, “Energize to Mobilize: A Guide to Reviving Nonprofit Boards,” took place on November 15, 2023. Ewald Consulting welcomed Laura Orr, CEO of Forward Consulting, in discussion with Ewald Consulting’s CXO, Eric Ewald, on ways to keep board members engaged, ensure appropriate expectations for incoming board members, effective board leadership, and more.  

Some of the key takeaways include: 

1. Some reasons for an increased lack of engagement with board members can be competing demands for time, a disconnect between a board member’s expectations and the reality of responsibilities, a strained board culture, and more.
2. Opportunities for increasing engagement include regular board assessments, exit interviews, clear communication, effective board leadership, and clearly communicating the role responsibilities when recruiting new board members.
3. Be sure to spend board meetings on action items, provide agenda information at least a week in advance, include questions to frame thinking, and allow time at the beginning of the meeting for socializing/getting to know each other. 
4. Board leaders can schedule voluntary small group meetings for board members to get to know each other; this can help board members create relationships with each other, which can help down the road when tough decisions need to be made as a board. Recognize and celebrate wins, big and small. Encourage ongoing involvement including volunteering, delegating tasks were needed to increase involvement, and fostering a positive working environment. 

We look forward to seeing you on January 17, 2024, for our next Associations Trends Talk: How to Run the World’s Best Board Meeting. This discussion will feature Tip Tucker Kendall, Executive Director of the National Grants Management Association, and Eric Hauth, Executive Director of the International Concrete Repair Institute.