We’ve all been there. You’ve recruited an impressive board of directors with the perfect mix of skills, connections, and passion for your mission. Yet when it comes time for meetings or asking for help, responses are slow, attendance is spotty, and engagement seems lukewarm at best. It’s not that these board members don’t care—they’re just busy professionals with demanding day jobs, families, and other commitments. As nonprofit leaders, we need to acknowledge this reality while still finding effective ways to harness their expertise and energy. After working with hundreds of nonprofits, I wanted to share strategies that I’ve actually seen work to engage even the busiest board members.  1. Respect Their Time Above All Else Nothing will disengage board members faster than feeling their time is being wasted. Make this your golden rule: One of my clients switched from monthly 90-minute meetings to bi-monthly two-hour meetings with much higher attendance and engagement. Board meetings shifted from operational updates from the Executive Director to conversations focused more on strategic issues and questions the board was facing. 2. Personalize Engagement Opportunities Not every board member can or should contribute in the same way. The key is matching opportunities to individual strengths and […]

April showers bring May flowers – and for many nonprofits, spring is the season of welcoming new board members. We’ve spent the last few months discussing how to identify your board’s needs, create a matrix to guide recruitment, and conduct meaningful interviews. Now comes a critical step that too many organizations rush through: orientation. Why Most Board Orientations Fall Flat Let’s be honest – most board orientations consist of handing over a hefty physical or virtual binder and hoping new members somehow absorb all that information before their first meeting. I’ve seen organizations spend weeks carefully recruiting the perfect board member, only to leave them feeling confused and overwhelmed from day one. Think about your own experience joining a new board. Were you clear about expectations? Did you understand the organization’s finances? Could you confidently explain the mission to others? If not, you’re not alone – and it’s time to reimagine what orientation can be. Beyond the Binder: Creating an Orientation That Sticks Effective orientation isn’t about information dumping – it’s about building relationships and creating clarity. Here’s how to transform your approach: Making it Interactive and Engaging As adult learners we retain information best when we’re actively engaged. Our […]

March brings us to the next phase of our board development journey. Last month, we explored how to identify what your nonprofit board truly needs – from expertise gaps to community representation. Now that you’ve done that self-reflection work (and hopefully used the sample Board Composition Matrix I shared!), it’s time to dig into interviewing your board candidates. Why Interviews Matter More Than You Think Let’s be honest – too many organizations rush through the interview process or skip it entirely. “She’s the CEO of a marketing firm! He’s a wealthy, prominent community leader! They’ll be perfect!” But board service is about much more than impressive credentials. Think of board interviews like dating beyond the dating profile. The résumé tells you someone’s qualifications, but the interview reveals their compatibility with your mission, culture, and current board dynamics. Creating an Interview Process That Actually Works I remember back in college how much I learned from my nonverbal communication classes. The majority of our communication cues happen nonverbally, and that applies to all relationships, even volunteer board members. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way: Making it a Two-Way Street Remember that strong candidates are interviewing you, too! Be […]

Are you scratching your head like I am, wondering if we’re in some alternative universe and wishing you could hit the reset button on 2025? To my nonprofit friends and superheroes, please know that I see you, hear you, and walk by you in these unsettling times. Over the last few weeks, many of you have been grappling with recent federal decisions and unclear Executive Orders. It’s a lot right now. Lots of change. Lots of confusion. Lots of fear. Staying abreast of the EOs and their related actions will continue to be crucial for ensuring nonprofits are aware of upcoming hurdles to their work. Nonprofits with federal grants and contracts– especially those providing DEI trainings and programs to or in partnership with the federal government, or work in immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, or environmental protection– will want to review your programs and contract language immediately as it pertains the various EOs. It’s not a matter of if this will impact us further – it’s when. I wish I had better answers for you. What I can promise is that my team and I are in this with you and will share resources that will help you navigate uncertainty in the months ahead. […]

Ah, February. Whether you’re stocking up on chocolate hearts or firmly in the “it’s just another day” camp, this month of love offers an interesting lens for nonprofit boards. Before jumping into recruitment mode, let’s talk about something even more fundamental: getting crystal clear about what your board truly needs. Know Yourself First: Understanding Your Board’s Needs Just like any relationship counselor will tell you, you need to know yourself before you can find the right match. For nonprofits, this means taking a hard look at your current board dynamics and organizational needs: Start with these key questions: The “Relationship Status” of Your Current Board Take time to assess your current board’s health and dynamics. Are meetings productive? Is attendance consistent? Do all voices get heard? Understanding these patterns helps clarify what qualities and personality types you’ll need in future board members. A Board Composition Matrix can help you map out your current strengths and gaps. Think of it as your board’s personality test – it reveals not just who you are, but who you need to become. Get a sample Board Matrix to get you started. Setting Clear Expectations (No Mixed Signals!) Before you even think about recruitment, establish […]

As we leave the holiday madness behind us and ease into 2025, it’s hard to ignore the societal pressure to craft the perfect New Year’s resolution. But let’s get real—resolutions can often feel more like obligations than opportunities. If you’re like me, they can quickly become intimidating, draining, or even a source of guilt if progress stalls. Instead of setting a resolution, what if you embraced something simpler yet more powerful: a one-word or one-phrase theme for the year? I have found that choosing a theme offers a refreshing alternative. It creates space for creativity, whimsy, and fun while providing guidance for your choices and goals throughout the year. Unlike a rigid resolution, a theme evolves with you. It’s not a box to check; it’s a lens through which you view your year. Added bonus– it’s easier to remember than a list of resolutions. It has what I like to call the “sticky” factor because it does just that, it sticks in our brains.  Finding Your Word or Phrase for 2025 Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help you uncover your perfect theme: My Word for 2025: Intentional This year, I’ve chosen intentional as my […]

Let’s be real – I’m writing this blog post for myself as much as for anyone else. If you’re like me, the word “conflict” makes you want to hide under a blanket with some hot cocoa and pretend it doesn’t exist. But alas, here we are, facing the most wonderful (and stressful) time of the year where conflict can abound almost anywhere, whether at family gatherings or in the workplace when it’s time for your annual review! The Holiday Stress Tornado Do you ever feel like the end of the year is like running a marathon while juggling flaming torches? Everywhere you look, there are expectations: Spoiler alert: No one actually feels calm. We’re all just pretending, and that pretending? It’s a recipe for conflict. The Nonprofit Conflict Conundrum And if you’re reading this and you work in the nonprofit sector, here’s something you might not know but that I don’t think will surprise you either: nonprofit professionals are uniquely wired to avoid conflict. Research from organizational psychology suggests that those in mission-driven work often prioritize harmony over confrontation. A study published in the Nonprofit Quarterly found that nonprofit workers frequently suppress disagreements to maintain team cohesion, fearing that conflict […]

Uncovering the Hidden Challenges of First-Time Executive Directors  In my years of consulting and coaching nonprofit leaders, I’ve worked with many first-time Executive Directors (EDs) and let me tell you—stepping into that role for the first time can feel like walking into a haunted house. The unknowns are endless, and unexpected challenges pop up when you least expect them. First-time Executive Directors who are reading this, take pause. You are not alone. There are common struggles that I’ve seen time and again.  The good news? There are solutions for every one of them! 1. The “I Can Do It All” Syndrome One of the first things I often hear from new Executive Directors (EDs) is that they feel like they have to do everything—manage operations, oversee fundraising, communicate with the board, and lead the team. It’s easy for them to get overwhelmed quickly. The truth is, many EDs walk into the job thinking they can (and should) handle everything on their own, but it doesn’t take long before they’re stretched too thin. Helpful Tip: Create clear priorities, set boundaries, and empower your team (this includes volunteers!). Delegation isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength, and once you master it, everything else […]

You may love the organization you work for, the work it does, the people you serve, and the programs you use to do it. You might love it more than the people you’re trying to reach. More than likely, they’re not interested in program specifics or receiving a firehose of data and information.  At its core, your organization was designed to solve a problem. What singular problem is your organization trying to solve?  That’s the reason people advocate for and support your organization.  Once you know what problem you’re trying to solve, how are you going to connect your supporters directly to that solution? Not to you as the third party they help to bring about the solution, but directly to your solution.  Ask people to join your story. Not as the side-kick. As the superhero.  The organizations we love would not survive without the people who support them. Remember that and you’ll be golden. Hat Tip to Your Storytelling Success, P.S. Do you want to get updates on our most recent blogs and other free resources we offer? Sign up here for our bi-monthly e-newsletter, The SWGazette. And if you’re interested in bringing a storytelling workshop to your organization, reach out here.

My social change warriors, I see you. You work long and hard to solve some of society’s greatest social ills. You juggle multiple responsibilities and wear multiple hats on any given day. And you are constantly driven by your passion to make a difference. Research reveals that work-related stress can decrease concentration and work motivation, create a tense work environment, and reduce employee performance. No surprise—this leads to burnout and increased absenteeism. Sound familiar? In the fast-paced world of nonprofit work, what if there was a simple, cost-effective way to bring more happiness into our workplaces? Enter: office dogs. The Science Behind the Wag I have experienced the perks of having a dog by my side when I work from home with my fur babies snuggled next to me. And more recently, I’ve had the surprise of a furry visitor hanging out with me while I facilitated a workshop and another sweet pup who greeted me at the entrance of a client’s office. The vibe felt different at these places—more relaxed, more jovial, and more team connection. I couldn’t help but wonder if I’ve been imagining this just because I’m a dog lover. It turns out that these benefits are […]