1. Select well. You’ve heard the mantra, “We need people of affluence and influence on our board.” Affluence and influence are fine. But these characteristics need to be backed by wisdom, integrity and commitment. Select people who believe in who you are, what you do and how you do it.

         2. State your expectations. Let them know why they were chosen for the board. Tell them what you expect them to do, what you expect them to know and what you expect them to give. Don’t assume that they are well-versed on your organization. What they think they know, and what is so, may be entirely different.

         3. Train them. Everyone needs to be on the same page when it comes to explaining to others what your organization is all about. Therefore, create a training complete with documents that include an “elevator speech,” and supporting statements that clearly articulate your organization’s mission, activities, history and traditions.

         4. Send Board members back to their communities. Once they understand, and can articulate who you are and what you do, encourage them to speak in front of their other organizations to tell their colleagues and families about your organization and the important work it performs in your community. Let them be “friend-raisers,” as well as “fund-raisers.”

         5. Make your Board a team. Board members need each other’s support and to know each other as colleagues. Team building is essential. Consider a facilitated retreat where members can exchange ideas both formally and informally.

(From Board Basics, a workshop by Dr. Mimi Hull)