Dr. Mimi is often called in to work with various Boards and sometimes it is because the Board is just not working. The members may attend meetings but that’s about it. Why is that? Why do Boards fail? Here are some reasons.
1. Reactive rather than proactive – Failing Boards tend to respond rather than plan. They don’t anticipate what is happening either in their organization or their community. Instead of having and revisiting a viable strategic plan, they go day to day and/or crisis to crisis.
2. Ineffective time allocation – We often hear that we “don’t have enough time.” In reality, too much time is spent greeting and eating and listening to reports rather than discussing real issues.
3. Non-participative members – board members start to lose interest when a Board is not run well or they don’t have a defined role. Their attendance drops off and their desire to help wanes. They arrive late, leave early and eventually stop attending.
4. A few do most of the work – It is great to have hardworking Board members but if only a small percentage are doing most of what needs to be done, the others will lose interest and even drop out. You then can get an “in crowd” and an “out crowd.” This not only limits involvement but also sends a message that the Board is run by a clique.
5. Focus on the minutia – Your Board should be looking at the big picture and making sure that the mission, vision and values are being developed and enhanced. The Board meeting is not the place to talk about “the color of napkins.” That is committee and/or staff work.
6. Live in the past – The good old days were great then and now it is time to look forward. Are the organization’s programs and fundraising relevant today? What updating needs to be done? When was the last time you really looked at what you are doing and why and who is doing it?
7. Lack of ongoing training – This is often the biggest issue. Board members need to be trained. Handing them a manual when they join is not enough.
Many Boards would exceed expectations if their members simply knew their roles and responsibilities and that needs to be updated at least annually. Before it is too late get your Board members trained!!!