Pull Your Board Out Of The Weeds: Board Planning for 2023
It always creeps up on us. The end of the year is fast approaching! Sorry if you were in denial, but it's true :)
Does this news fill you with concern about being behind on your fundraising or programmatic goals? Read on: instead of feeling inadequate or reflecting on what you should have or could have done this year, why not set some positive intentions for the year to come? Maybe that is what was missing in the first place!
Often, as board members and nonprofit leaders, we live in the moment, or even in the past, and can easily get tangled up in the weeds. As board members, we are frequently uber-focused on the organization’s performance, and forget to consider the functioning of the board itself. But here’s another truth: The internal health and performance of the board - often overlooked - is a critically important component of overall organizational performance. So, quit living in the past, and look to the future!
We love the perspective of the simple chart: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_four_principles_of_purpose_driven_board_leadership#.
It is a user-friendly tool that your board can use to initiate a strategic dialogue that will strengthen confidence, excitement, planning, and - ultimately - overall organizational performance. Use the chart and the questions below as a basis for discussion at your next board meeting.
What is our role?
What unique perspective do we each bring to our role?
What are our strengths?
How will we prioritize the needs of the organization in 2023?
Internally, as a board, what do we need to do in the next 2-3 months to prepare for the new year?
When discussing question five, make sure your board sets a few concrete, achievable goals with corresponding action items and timelines to address organizational priorities. A good starting point would be to create a calendar of activities for 2023 which could include such items as an annual review of the Conflict of Interest policy; the annual performance review of the Executive Director; and fundraising milestones. we’ve added some helpful templates below.
And remember. This discussion is board-generated and board-focused. It is the board’s responsibility to implement and evaluate the action items, with the goal of strengthening the functioning of the board. Avoid any temptation to use this to add items to the Executive Director’s to-do list!
As individuals, we bring unique perspectives and experiences to discussions at the board table about the organization’s mission and priorities. Focusing discussion in the way we’re suggesting will capture these perspectives and experiences, create a forward-looking culture, and ultimately lead to enhanced organizational performance.
Templates:
http://www.governinggood.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/The-Boards-Governance-Calendar.pdf