Congratulations! You have recruited individuals from diverse economic levels, accessibility needs, and backgrounds to your nonprofit board. Now comes the crucial part: fostering inclusion and belonging.
Ask and Listen: This is the key starting point.
· Be genuinely curious about the lives of your fellow board members. Spend time one-on-one with new board members to get to know them.
· By periodically asking what might help them participate, you may discover new approaches to take in board meetings.
· Be sure to allow enough time for even the quiet ones to participate in the board meetings.
· When chairing a virtual meeting, you may need to encourage participation by asking members by name to share their ideas.
Starting Point for Connecting – A Buddy System: Many boards are now using one-on-one mentoring between an existing board member and a new incoming board member. A buddy system can be very effective, but it's important to give it some structure. For example, one nonprofit board asks mentors/buddies to reach out to the new board members when the board meeting documents are distributed to see if they have any questions. The buddy should also arrange one-on-one time to talk and get to know the new member; so ideally, this role is filled by a board members with strong social skills.
Be Mindful During Socializing: Outside of board meetings, be aware of topics during social interactions that may make someone feel like an outsider. For example, if a large group of board members are consistently discussing extravagant vacations like Aspen ski trips, look for opportunities to open the conversation up to social activities that others who may be less able or come from a less affluent background could participate in.
Consider Transportation: Not everyone has access to a car, possibly due to cost or disability. While Uber/Lyft can be an alternative, it isn't always feasible for every location. When choosing a retreat location, consider how each board member will get there. Remind board members that they can submit receipts for reimbursement, as per most nonprofit bylaws.
Address Technology Needs: Ensure that all board members have the necessary hardware to participate fully in virtual meetings. Ask if they need a laptop, as reading financial reports on a phone can be nearly impossible and can cause someone to miss key parts of the big picture. Have a contractor or staff person check in with new board members individually to ensure they understand applications like Zoom, Google Workspace, and other document-sharing platforms. Do they need extra applications for readability or help with audio connectivity? Do they need enhanced internet connection?
Set a Small Budget: Allocate a small amount in the annual budget to support the board. This could cover costs for transportation, technology, or other reasonable expenses that help board members fully participate. Your bylaws likely allow for reimbursement of such expenses, so use this to ensure inclusion.
Fundraising: As we know, the traditional requirement of a mandatory minimum give-get has caused disparity in who gets to serve on nonprofit boards. Not only should you remove this requirement for new members from low-income communities, but it shouldn't be a requirement for anyone. Don't make this just an exception—make it a systems change for all. If this remains an exception for one person while all other members have a required minimum gift to continue serving on the board, that member would not feel like a true board member. This could diminish their sense of belonging and equal standing in terms of voice, influence, and power.
Outline your organization's approach to fundraising in one-on-one conversations with new members. Reassure them that a single annual gift is sufficient, despite multiple fundraising emails they may receive during a fundraising campaign. Explain why having all board members donate, regardless of the amount, is important, as funders often look at board donation participation.
Keep Asking and Listening: By consistently asking and listening, you and your fellow board members will learn about the diverse perspectives and experiences outside your own bubble.
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This article provides specific strategies to engage and include board members from low-moderate income communities and those with diverse abilities. However, it is not a comprehensive list. It is crucial to continually seek out and implement a wide range of strategies to ensure that all board members feel valued and can contribute fully to the organization's mission.
Andrew Beamon and Dorothy Adams are co-facilitators of the SEAT Program. Andrew Beamon is an Amazon best-selling author and CEO of AB Consulting. To learn more please visit www.andrewbeamon.com In addition to supporting nonprofit boards, Dorothy helps social-purpose organizations strengthen their financial and operational management.