A give and get policy can mean slightly different things to different organizations.<\/p>\n
But essentially it means that every board member must \u2018give\u2019 a donation of a certain amount AND help to procure financial resources.<\/p>\n
It is typically something that the board votes on so that it becomes part of what candidates are told when they are being vetted for board services.<\/p>\n
Please note that it is not a give OR get policy.\u00a0Every single board member must give. There are many reasons for this, but my favorite? Because the two most powerful words a fundraiser utters? \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cJoin me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n But all too often, boards push back. They don\u2019t want to be on the hook for this. And it\u2019s not just<\/em> board members who push back \u2013 executive directors and development directors do too.<\/p>\n Today my goal is simple. To introduce you to the benefits. Staff leaders can be dogs with bones about this (not helpful) and just pound their fists that it\u2019s the board\u2019s JOB.<\/p>\n This is not the path to success.<\/p>\n Why not try framing the conversation differently?\u00a0The list of \u2018why nots\u2019 is clear (and long). And if they\u2019re not, I\u2019ll write more about them below.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s focus on the benefits instead, shall we?<\/p>\n Here are five benefits for a give and get policy. I bet you will find that at least one of them will offer you an \u2018AHA\u2019 moment.<\/p>\n Have you said or heard any of the following when the phrase \u2018give and get\u2019 is tossed into a conversation around board fundraising?<\/p>\n \u201cGET?\u00a0Are you kidding me? Not all of our board members GIVE!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you think I would have remembered if someone said I had a fundraising responsibility during my board interview?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know any wealthy people.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI am not wealthy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Oh, and then there\u2019s this gem:<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t have a give and get policy because we want to diversify our board.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Allow me to explain why that one has a particular sting. Young people can be very effective fundraisers and they can give SOMETHING. And any statement that implies or infers that people of color are poor? Problematic. I think that is the kind word.<\/p>\n These are the most common objections I hear from both executive directors, development directors, board chairs and development committee chairs.<\/p>\n Technically, a policy is enforceable. But I would steer clear of technicalities.<\/p>\n The give and get policy is a goal. And goals are vital to performance assessment.<\/p>\nFIRST, 5 REASONS BOARDS PUSH BACK ON GIVE AND GET POLICIES<\/h2>\n
5 REASONS YOU NEED A GIVE AND GET POLICY<\/h2>\n
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WHAT IF BOARD MEMBERS DON\u2019T HIT THEIR NUMBERS?<\/h2>\n