the evolving role of a non profit board member

WATSON DURENBERGERCOLLABORATIVE CONSULTING

The Evolving Role of a Non Profit Board Member

Heather DurenbergerMBA, MA

About the presenterAchieving results in Non Profits and Fortune 300

environments for 16 years

Joined first Board as Junior Deacon in High School

MBA, 2000 + MA in Biopsychology, 1993 with research in Neuroscience: Dopamine

Member, Neuroleadership Institute

Help clients see what’s really, really going on

Strengths: engaging others, building partnerships, focus, creating high trust environments and sustained performance leaps

Workshop OverviewPurpose:

Governance practices have evolved over the years.

Let’s discover the hallmarks of good governance and how to unlock the potential of Board.

Process:

Stop, listen, reflect, take action

Payoff:

Gain understanding of governance and conditions needed for healthy Board functioning.

Permission

Image Source: www.illuminita.com

Board work and governance are not synonymous.

Boards govern but they also:

brainstormscan environment champion watch community trendsraise money advocateopen doors support ED/CEO

And more…

Source: The Nonprofit Board Answer Book, Boardsource, 2007

The state of governanceThe focus of governance has been on structure peeps are falling out of love with us we are missing it – its not structure (below the line thinking) lots of analysis of what is broken, not enough practical

solutions

As non profit leaders lets: stop yelling the same messages louder listen more involve stakeholders be more inclusive be more engaging share decision making and planning

Source: Underestimating the power of non profit governance, NPQ Jan 2013 & Nonprofit branding 2013, What has changed? NPQ Fall 2013

What happening?Many Boards are stuck, they are:

under immense pressure

bored to tears

disengaged

Board members are frustrated and rightly so!

The old model “ain’t working”

Board members desires to be more, to do more, to perform and contribute

Source: Exploring emerging forms of governance, NPQ Winter 2012

Why are Board’s bored?1. First, dysfunctional group dynamics—

rivalries, domination of the many by the few, bad communication—impede collective decision making.

2. Second, Board members are disengaged. They don’t know what’s going on in the organization, nor do they demonstrate much desire to find out.

3. Third, and most important, Board members are often uncertain of their roles and responsibilities.

Source: Problem Boards or Board problems? Ryan, Chait, Taylor, NPQ 2003

Unlocking the potential of BoardsHaving awareness of where the Board

spends its time.

Having the ability to operate in more than one mode.

They have different levels of functioning at their finger tips.

Being able to pivot or use more than one level of functioning is a skill set of high performing Boards.

Source: Reframing governance II by Ryan, Chait, Taylor, NPQ 2003

What if governance systems could:actively honorsinforms supports amplifies vivifies, and expands the work of the organization

What would the benefits be for those you serve?

Lets pull this down

Think of your Board meetings:

What level is your Board functioning?

Where does your Board spend it’s time?

Image Source: steveodland.org

Board has its own values

Trust is key to building any team

Board is a team of people

Most Boards never go through – basic stuff

Source: Board meltdowns, Willowcreek, 2009

“Most Boards are not living up to their potential”

Group dynamicsHow will Board work together?How we will build trust if meeting quarterly

Focus on the right thingsWhere does the Board put its attentionGovernance rhythm

Information architectureHow to help guide the BoardWhat do they needs?Organizational performance & revenue

model

“Leaders keep their eyes on the horizon, not just on the bottom line”

Warren Bennis

How to Help Focus Right Things?

Lead the Board to focus by:

1. Painting a picture of the whole

2. Share major deliverables for 6-12 months

3. Help Board to see staff deliverables

4. Help Board to see know where they need to give attention

Information Architecture

Image Sources: richardgerver.com, linkin.com,

Traditional Board

Image Source: 2012e.igem.org

Source: Community engagement governance; systems wide governance in action by Judy Freiwirth, NPQ Spring 2011

Its not all roses…Although this framework

promising benefits change needed can be difficult.

Boards need to be willing to try new, innovative frameworks and practices.

Organizations are reluctant to engage in the uncertainty and ambiguity that often accompany transformation.

Source: Community engagement governance; systems wide governance in action by Judy Freiwirth, NPQ Spring 2011

Image Source: rigidflexibility.blogspot.com

Letting Go

Why many organizations hesitate in empowering these external ambassadors is the loss of control.

Perhaps with the loss of some control comes an increase in authenticity and transparency, both qualities that can greatly enhance an organization’s overall communications.

Image Source: newclearvision.com

Shift: Deficit Assets

Boards need to shift their perceptions of constituents—from a “charity”/deficit perspective TO constituents as invaluable assets.

Sharing power: both the concept and its implications is perhaps the biggest hurdle.

Image Source: Suzycarroll.com

Redefining contribution

FROM: Writing a check, and recruiting volunteers.

TO: Small donor with the big network social platform savvy who can influence others to give well beyond her own capacity.

Image source: thesavynetworker.typepad.com & consumersenergy.com

Value Added Activities

Source: Stanford Center for Social Innovation Review, Winter 2013: The Permanent Disruption of Social Media by Julie Nixon and Denise Keyes

Everyone is a CommunicatorEncourage everyone in the

organization to be a communicator.

Most organizations equip Board members with basic elevator speeches & hold trainings on messaging.

But very few embrace the “everyone is a communicator” idea fully—and those that do have a tremendous advantage.

Image source: cienciaempauta.am.gov.br

So What Does This Mean For Our Work?

Unlock your potential - No More Bored Boards!

Ensure you know the whole.

Be crystal clear on where you can add value.

Engage stakeholders.

Board best reflects the communities you serve.

Image source:wearemms.co.uk

Today’s TakeawaysBoards of successful

non profits are dramatically shifting.

Be intentional – where to invest energies & how to add value.

Use your influence and engage others in the good work.

Everyone is a communicator!

Image source:theproducersperspective.com

Questions

What is one thing you learned today that you can try this afternoon or in the morning?

Go Deeper Community engagement governance; systems wide governance in

action by Judy Freiwirth, NPQ Spring 2011

Nonprofit branding 2013, What has changed? NPQ Fall 2013

Problem boards or board problems? by Ryan, Chait, Taylor, NPQ 2003

Reframing governance II by Ryan, Chait, Taylor, NPQ 2003

The permanent disruption of social media by Julie Dixon & Denise Keyes, Stanford Center for Innovation Review, Winter 2013.

Underestimating the power of non profit governance, NPQ Jan 2013

www.heatherdurenberger.com

hdurenbe@smumn.edu