Do you get frustrated with your board?

Are they engaged like they could be? If you’re like many nonprofits, the answer is a resounding no.

Why is that? What’s the root cause of why a board member (think of them as individuals) would hold back?

It’s counterintuitive, but in many cases they don’t know how. They’re embarrassed to ask.

You know how it goes. At the beginning when things are being explained, you glaze over. It’s overwhelming. You figure you’ll pick it up as you go.

You may ask a few questions, but you still don’t really get it.

Ultimately, it’s too embarrassing to keep asking. You should know by now. Everyone else seems to.

Recently, I was working with a client to take a closer look at their funding model.

Their government grants were decreasing, they admittedly weren’t strategic with their approach to foundations, and they assumed they should ramp up with events and individual giving.

I’m sure you have your version of this.

Although ramping up individual giving is a good idea for many nonprofits, it’s not always the case.

The finance committee convened to take a closer look. It turned out that no one really understood where the government grants came from (specifically), what they funded, and what that meant for the future of the organization.

The executive director wasn’t at this meeting (first mistake) and she was the only person that understood these things. Except the part about what it meant for the future of the organization.

One thing led to another, and it came out that the finance committee members didn’t understand what the organization did. Believe it or not, that’s not uncommon. 

The basics, yes, but they didn’t know how to talk about it with their friends, and they certainly didn’t know how to ask the right questions at board meetings.

As you would guess, the conversation became clunky. No one knew what to do next. The problems went deeper than anyone expected.

This was a sobering realization.

They were courageous.

That’s what it takes at the end of the day. They had the awkward conversation anyway. They formulated the right questions to take to the board.

You can be darn sure the board became engaged. It was a huge relief for the others that they weren’t the only ones that didn’t get it.

How to help your board save face

Give some thought as to what a board member may be embarrassed or afraid to ask in front of their peers.

Do you use acronyms? “I went to the AFPRT conference last month and …” Paleezz.

Take time at board meetings to refresh or update the board on the basics.

The place to start is with money. That will capture attention.

How does each revenue line item relate to a program?

What’s the story with this funding source? Past, present…and dare I say future. Do you know?

Use a colorful mindmap, explain it in English. I highly recommend this. Mindmapping will help you think it through and it’s a great visual to take to a board meeting. There are free ones online.

If this is done over the course of time, it will have a ripple effect.

Think about it. If your board begins to understand how the organization is funded – beyond the rubber stamp approval of financial statements month in and month out – they’ll ask better questions about fundraising, it’s effectiveness, and begin to connect the dots with the bigger picture.

Everyone will be challenged and that’s the way it should be. It will ensure that the best decisions are being made in service of your mission. Not just what’s easy and maintains the status quo.

What is your board afraid to ask?

Tricia Dell is a fundraising coach, facilitator, and strategist for nonprofit organizations. Learn more at triciadell.com and follow her on twitter @triciadell.

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