1. Always have name tags. This sounds basic but more often than not, people can’t recall names and there are no name tags.

2. Have a bulleted bio with a picture of each Board member in the Board orientation materials. Give current Board members a picture and bio of new members.

3. Ask committee preferences. Some people join boards to share their professional expertise. Others want to do something completely different.

4. Assign new board members a “board buddy” to serve as a mentor, a greeter and a question answerer.

5. Send out minutes from the board meetings, highlighting any votes or important actions. Share past ones with new members.

6. Let your Board know the Good,the Bad and the Ugly. If they only know the good, they may feel you don’t really need their help.

7. Periodically do a warm-up/icebreaker that fosters engagement. Just don’t call it an icebreaker!

8. Divide the agenda into three sections to stimulate thinking: “hindsight, foresight, and insight,” so the Board can be always be thinking strategically.

9. Hold a discussion with your board about how to provide positive public relations and appropriate advocacy.

10. Revisit your mission. Are you still doing what you say you do? Board members want to be Mission Motivated!