CharityMatters-NZ Boards, Management

To busy ”doing”

We all probably ”doing” and not seeing the bigger picture, not seeing what is happening with those around us. Missing out on warning signs.

This great article is certainly worth a read, even if you are part of only a small team; take the time and read it, I’m sure you will pick up some ideas, see where you could change in the way you work.

Leaders, Are We Too Busy With The ‘Doing’?

Where is your focus when you arrive at work? Are you thinking as a leader or manager?

One of the main factors that distinguishes a leader from a manager, is that that leaders lead by inspiration, whereas managers will co-ordinate people and tasks.

From time to time, however, as leaders we can find ourselves taking on a little more of the workload. Often we’ve been chosen to lead the team because we believe in the project or task we’re working on. We have a connection to it, or a passion about it, and we want to see it done well. That makes it all too easy to slip into a ‘doing’ role.

And when we’re ‘doing’, we’re not leading; we’re not inspiring the team to achieve bigger and better things. It becomes an issue when we become so focused on the tasks at hand, on all of the doing that needs to be done, that we become less aware of what’s happening within the team.

Read the full article here

CharityMatters-NZ Appeals, Boards, Business Giving, Fundraising, Governance, Management, Sponsorship

Engaging your Board in Fundraising

I’ve talked before about the importance of having those on the Board actively participating in all areas of the work of an organisation, including fundraising.

This post from the Sponsorship Collective covers it again, and is worth reading. In it, as I have said before, Board members usually have good business or friend contacts that can be tapped into to help an organisation raise funds and grow.

The post also talks about trust, ”Lack of trust has got to be one of the main reasons why Boards don’t donate and do not bring you their networks. 

Boards, understandably want to protect their friends, associates and other contacts from being treated badly. They may even have been burned before, having taken the chance to make an introduction to a contact and then find that the contact has not been treated well by the charity.  So help them to feel that they can trust you, but also in the charity, by demonstrating that you understand the process, that you won’t mistreat their friends and business associates and that you have impact in a cause that they care about.”

This is something I have had to deal with, I have introduced organisations to contacts, only to have the people call and tell me not to do it again as they felt pressured to support and also felt that the organisation wasn’t being upfront, they said in referring people I should know more about how they would present themselves. Since then I am more cautious, but I do use my connections where I feel there is a good fit.

Have a read of the full article and take on board some of the points it raises.

CharityMatters-NZ Appeals, Boards, Fundraising, Governance

Do your Board Members Fundraise?

It’s not my job, we have fundraisers, why should I have to fundraise?

I wouldn’t know where to start, I’d be a burden on fundraising.

I don’t know enough to help with donations.

When board members see, have the attitude that fundraising isn’t part of their role, something needs to be said and done; sadly grabbing them by the shoulder and give them a good hard shake is frowned upon. But something needs doing to get them to see it’s as much their job as it is anyone else in the organisation.

Board members should be encouraged to, where possible spend time with the fundraising team to learn what it takes to get a campaign going, how individuals, businesses and funders are approached. The effort this takes, the skills needed and to see what the results (negative and positive) have on those doing the fundraising.

I’ve seen organisations where the Board are only interested in the income, they’re not interested in how it’s done. But, should income levels not meet targets they dive in and suggest that the fundraising team aren’t doing all the could, they their appriach is wrong.

Say what, if these Board members know so much, why aren’t they roling their sleeves up and help? Ah that’s right, it’s not their job. What a load of hogwash.

Board members, infact (in my opinion) everyone in an organisation should have some involvement in fundraising.
Board members are likely to have business or community connections they could tap into. Sure, there are some situations where this may not be possible; but the least they could do in situations where a direct approach my not be in order, is to at minimum is to give introductions, open the door for others to make the approach.

If written previoulsy, Is your Board on Board, have a read if you haven’t.

Board members aren’t only there because of the need in the Trust Deed or legal requirements, they are their because of skills they have. And, they should also be schooled in all areas of the organisation. (Read) Learn Fundraising.

The next time your board is together, ask ”what can you help with?”. It may scare some, but too bad, it will open discussion on roles, repsonsibilities and opportunities.

CharityMatters-NZ Boards, Governance, Other, Reading, Reports

Problem Boards or Board Problem?

We’ve probably had that feeling that there’s an issue with the Board of an organisation, perhaps we’ve become frustrated that the Board just aren’t getting it …

The following paper from www.npqmag.org is well worth the time to read, it covers things like “underperforming boards are the norm, not the exception,” that sometimes the Board of an organisation sees itself as a legal need, making the role mundane, having a sense of a lack of purpose.

Rather than dissect the paper, click here and download and read it for yourself. I’m sure you will have a few light bulb moments about your Board, or a Board of an organisation you may have had some dealings with.