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I have always been a sporty person. As a kid, softball and basketball (yes, even though I stand at a towering 5 foot 2 inches tall).<\/p>\n
In the last decade I have been more strategic. I picked up racquetball a while back – only needs two people, can play regardless of the weather and heavy cardio. Next up for me will be pickleball and platform tennis.<\/p>\n
I do love a good sport. Great for socializing and not gonna lie. I have a competitive streak.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve learned that nonprofit leaders love sports too.<\/p>\n
And I\u2019ve learned they have a favorite – Board Bashing!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Executive Directors consider it sport to blame the board for lots of things \u2013 not responding to emails, not reading board reports, focusing on the trees rather than the forest. And oh yes, then there is the sport of nagging board members to raise money and getting nowhere.<\/p>\n Executive Directors seem to really enjoy complaining about their boards. It\u2019s like they would like the board to just go away and leave them alone.<\/p>\n So today, let\u2019s play that<\/strong><\/em> game.<\/p>\n What if after a lengthy nagging session at a board meeting, your board members stood up and never returned.<\/p>\n Or if one day you sat at your desk and said, \u201cI wish my board would disappear.\u201d<\/p>\n And they did.<\/p>\n What would your E.D. life look like without a board?<\/p>\n Wow! Exciting! Your board disappeared! No one to micromanage your decisions. No more writing board reports nobody ever reads. No more needing to spend time crafting monthly emails alerting board members of big successes. Emails that get no responses.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to waste a single ounce of energy being frustrated that the board isn\u2019t raising money.<\/p>\n You<\/em> can decide on the centerpieces for the gala. You<\/em> can do all the outreach to potential sponsors. You can do all the fundraising, manage the staff, recruit volunteers. No board members will get in your way and you don\u2019t have to be disappointed that they are not helping\/supporting\/partnering.<\/p>\n An entire team of folks who are passionate about your organization\u2019s mission have just disappeared. I know you think that they aren\u2019t always very present<\/strong><\/em>, but gone altogether?<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t seem like a good thing does it?<\/p>\n Consider some of the following:<\/p>\n You are a fierce advocate for your cause, your clients. You sit in front of folks and ask them for time and treasure to support the work. You make (made?) speeches at galas that inspire attendees to think about their place in the world \u2013 to consider how they can contribute and bring a sense of meaning and purpose to their lives.<\/p>\n And yet, far too often, Executive Directors are downright passive<\/strong><\/em> when it comes to the critical task of strengthening the board \u2013 building leadership, identifying new board members and taking a good hard look at how (if at all) you invest time to fuel them, to brighten their pilot lights, to ignite them to feel a sense of urgency about the work and enthusiasm about sharing the impact of your work on others.<\/p>\n A thriving nonprofit is like a twin engine jet. It demands two high functioning engines. Staff. And Board.<\/p>\n Boards can be frustrating, but you need \u2018em. And you need to invest in \u2018em. Cause ain\u2019t nobody (as much as we all want to travel) gonna board a jet that\u2019s missing an engine.<\/p>\n Related: Your Board is NOT the Enemy!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n And please stay safe.<\/p>\nGREAT NEWS: YOU ARE NOW TOTALLY IN CHARGE<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
BUT WAIT\u2026.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
YOU\u2019RE NOW TOTALLY IN CHARGE: IS THAT REALLY SUCH A GREAT THING?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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OK, IF YOU DON\u2019T REALLY WANT YOUR BOARD TO DISAPPEAR, THEN\u2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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