A nonprofit’s board of directors can be an organization’s greatest ally! This is true in the best of times, and it’s even more important to remember during hard times. The coronavirus pandemic may have changed your programmatic priorities, impacted your fundraising, and more. As a nonprofit leader, you might be more overwhelmed than ever before.
Your board of directors can help you navigate the tough decisions that are still ahead. A primary function of a board is to set the strategic direction for an organization. That may happen every 3-5 years, and it’s also necessary in times of crisis.
In order to get the most out of your board of directors, your members need to be well trained! Just like a new staff member needs a solid foundation with orientation and ongoing support, so does your board. At TCG, we have tools and provide training for boards at different stages. We have resources geared toward founding board members, as well as established boards looking to accelerate their impact.
Our team at TCG is currently working with 4C of Southern Indiana and their board of directors. We helped 4C develop a new 5-year strategic plan for their organization. Now, we’re assisting them with putting the plan into action. We’re developing an implementation plan with objectives and metrics that can turn 4C’s newly defined strategies into positive impact.
A key part of implementing their new plan is an engaged and informed board of directors. 4C staff and TCG kept the board informed of the project every step of the way. They helped with planning, and now they are volunteering for special committees. Each board committee will support 4C staff as they implement new strategies and measure their progress.
Setting up board committees means thinking about the knowledge and skills you want those members to have. You’ll determine the charge for each committee and figure out who can help accomplish those goals. As you go through this process, you may identify gaps in your board of directors. In that case, you can make a plan for recruiting board members who bring what you need to the table.
Our team understands the importance of having supports in place for a board of directors. Many members of the TCG team sit on nonprofit boards. From that direct service experience, we understand how essential it is for each nonprofit board to have customized supports. With a strong foundation and ongoing board development, your nonprofit can achieve its goals! Contact us if you need support to strengthen your board of directors!
