Is this you? You show up to a board committee meeting and you are the only one? Or, at your organization’s event, you are the only board member in attendance?

Are you thinking to yourself…What is happening?

People are too busy?

Maybe the other board members just don’t understand their role?

Or maybe, no one asked them to come?

Whether you are the Board Chair, the Executive Director/CEO or that person on the board who does 90% of what gets done, you have a lot on your shoulders.  How can you spark excitement and engagement from the other board members?

Over the years, at NonProfit Connect, we have honed in on some strategies to better engage board members, here is a list below to incorporate:

  • Ask individual board members to do exactly what you want them to do!  For example:  “Can you please come to our event on 9/25 and greet our awardees?”  (This request offers a very easy and approachable task, and helps elevate their importance as part of the team.)
  • Publicly thank your board members whenever possible, at board meetings, at agency events, and on social media.  Our team created a series of posts that we call “In The Community” that highlights our work with organization leaders and with our board members so we get the chance to give them public acknowledgement throughout the year.

Most everyone likes to be thanked, personal emails, handwritten notes and thank you cards are also a great way to make sure your board members/committee members feel appreciated.

  • Map out a chart of every board member’s passions and then try to tap into their passion throughout the year.  Every chance that you get, share with them how the organization is making an impact and how they play a role in that.  Engage them in the work that they most care about.  I have two board members who especially enjoy developing future leaders.  We invited them to meet with small groups of emerging leaders to coach them based on their own experiences.

These are just some of the strategies that have worked, but we would love to hear about what has worked for you and your organization! Please share your tips in the comment section!