120 likes | 133 Vues
How to Diversify your Board. By Ben Echevarria. Why do you want to diversify?. Add new blood Adds specialize talents Ensures mission continues Helps fill gaps. Our Story. What the Board looked like 8 years ago 5 out of 12 Directors were minorities (Maude is included here)
E N D
How to Diversify your Board By Ben Echevarria
Why do you want to diversify? • Add new blood • Adds specialize talents • Ensures mission continues • Helps fill gaps
Our Story • What the Board looked like 8 years ago • 5 out of 12 Directors were minorities (Maude is included here) • Out of those 5 only 2 were active on the board • 7 members were white • 4 were college professors • 1 was a founder of the organization
Today • At the start of the board year in Nov. 2014 we had 12 directors • 6 are minorities and 6 whites • In January 1 Director passed away • 1 retired • 1 inactive • 3 people have 7 or more years on the board
Steps we took • Made a Commitment to Diversify • Evaluated the board • Came up with a plan for recruitment • Made a commitment to have people from various experiences • Made a commitment to training • Reassess the board to make changes, and recommendations.
Made a Commitment to Diversify • Strategic plan • Strategic Direction #1. Create an immigrant-led organization (ED, BP,BDC) • Strategic Direction #2. Incorporate leadership development and civic engagement/organizing into all programs and activities. (ED) • Strategic Direction #3. Take the lead in building and strengthening partnerships with other immigrant involved organizations (ED)
Strategic plan • Strategic Direction #4. Promote the academic success of youth from immigrant families (ED & Youth Coordinator) • Strategic Direction #5. Continue to develop an infrastructure and resources to further build the capacity of The Welcome Project (ED, FC, EC, BP)
Commitment to Diversity • Strategic goals 1 & 5 drives us to make changes • We made people responsible for our directions • BP= Board President • ED= Executive Director • BDC= Board Development Committee • FC= Fundraising Committee
Evaluate the Board • Define board diversity • What is important to your organization (values) • What specific skills and expertise do you think donors and grantors want on your board? • What specific expertise and skills does the board want to have? • Make a list of them all
Evaluate the Board • What are the areas you currently have by: • Occupation • Race • Skills • Expertise • How do you figure out needs? • Voting process • Top ones win top priorities
Recruitment strategies • Where do you find people? • Ask Board members • Volunteers? • Websites • Community leaders • Colleges and Universities • Social Networks