 
Board Bonding 101
by Carol Weisman, Board Builders
The process of board bonding is all-important, and it has to begin with a new
board member's very first meeting. Here's some advice for the board president on
building that bond:
1. Reinforce the Players' Names.
To feel comfortable, you first need to know the players' names. Much anxiety
goes out the window if board members wear nametags at all meetings. If you sit
at a table, you can each have a folded sheet of cardboard in front of you,
bearing your name. These "plaques" are even easier to read than nametags.
Another way to reinforce people's names is with repeated introductions. It's
useful to begin each meeting by introducing all board members by name,
professional affiliation, and board function. When new people are coming to a
meeting, designate someone to greet them at the door and introduce everyone.
A key ingredient in building a dynamic, productive board is helping people feel
comfortable.
2. Have an Agenda.
The next aspect of comfort is knowing what is going to happen at the meeting.
Every board member should receive an agenda a week before the meeting. An agenda
keeps the meeting on track, establishes boundaries, and indicates who is
responsible for specific reports.
3. Provide a Relaxed Environment.
To be productive, you must feel safe. If people are yelled at, ridiculed, or
harassed for having differing opinions, they will not be comfortable or
productive. The person running the meeting is responsible for keeping
discussions from becoming volatile.
A "time out" is as effective in the board room as it is with children. Tabling a
discussion until another meeting or referring it to a committee are two ways to
diffuse a difficult situation. Acknowledging the organization's needs and the
importance of a decision can also help. Consider this approach: "We all know how
desperately we need a new building for the children we serve, and we appreciate
how much hinges on choosing a site. Because of the difficulty and importance of
this decision, we need to give it more time".
Acknowledging the needs and concerns of board members and giving credit for work
done can put them back on task. For instance: "We all appreciate Louise and
Joe's time and dedication on this project, and how much they care about the
children we serve. Let's give this a little more time".
4. Clarify Expectations.
Being clear about expectations and boundaries is another comfort builder. Before
people join your board, be sure to let them know what you want from them. Tell
them, for example, that all board members give an annual gift, that the average
is $250, but that you consider the amount a personal decision. This way, you
give them permission not to adhere to the average, which may be out of their
price range. Yet you have offered them valuable guidelines.
You need to present your expectations in different ways because people absorb
information in different forms. One way is in the initial recruitment interview.
You might say, " We require three things of board members: giving an annual
gift, attending at least 50 percent of all board meetings, and being on at least
one committee". Besides explaining these requirements verbally send a formal
letter of invitation to the board, listing expectations. Ask them to sign a form
showing that they understand and accept these conditions of board membership.
You should also make it clear that arm twisting is not allowed and that "no" is
an acceptable answer. It helps to use phrases such as "Do you have time to...?",
or "Would you be interested in...?". On the other hand, it is often useful to
ask "Why?" when people say "no". Perhaps they're interested in a task but have
never done it before and are afraid to try. You might ask, for example, "Is this
something you really don't want to do, or would you be willing try it with a
co-chair or with staff support?"
5. Give Plenty of Thanks.
Gratitude and recognition should be an integral part of your culture.
Acknowledging contributions of time and money helps people bond with your
organization. Say thank you early, often, publicly, and creatively. Remember
that a creative gift is vastly better than an expensive one.
Try starting each board meeting by thanking people for what they have done in
the previous month. Praise them for donations of time as well as for raising
money. A typical opening might go something like this: "We've had an incredibly
productive month. Reba, thanks for addressing 3,000 envelopes single-handedly.
You're amazing. Because of Marty's tenacity with McDonnell Douglas Corporation,
we now have a $5,000 grant for the pre-school." The meeting has begun on a
positive note, and members have gotten ideas about how they can contribute.
Acknowledging progress is a good way to keep committees on task and keep the
board updated. For instance: "Steve is making progress with the Neighborhood
Assistance Program credits. He has an appointment with the assistant to the
governor and is headed for the capital next week. Keep up the good work, Steve."
6. Be Inclusive.
Make it a point to thank board members' spouses. Plan to include spouses in at
least one event a year. Such inclusion helps assure that they will understand
your organization's mission and be supportive of the time their spouses spend on
board work.
Also be sure to thank board members’ secretaries and other support staff.
Consider sending small holiday gifts, such as flowers or mugs with your
organization's name and logo.
7. Don't Let the Honeymoon End.
Unless you take good care of your board members, the work won't get done and you
will not serve your constituents. Providing a comfortable, warm atmosphere
produces board bonding and helps board members be productive. Being kind,
supportive, and caring is good business.
The honeymoon between an organization and its board member never has to end.
Indeed, it should grow in strength and commitment, just as a good marriage does.
And, like a good marriage, the relationship benefits from all the positive
efforts put into it. Each anniversary year between an organization and a board
member should be joyfully celebrated. And when the board member rotates off, it
should be as a friend for life.
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