Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Frank Gorman Field Operations Manager

State Support Organizations US Office

Board Development Recruitment and Retention

HFH OR/WA/HI Conference

Oct 24, 2015

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Overview

• Board Building Cycle

• Governance Committee Role

• Tips for Retention and Turnover

• Q&A

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

And Now, a Word From Our Sponsor Board Development

There is no fixed formula for determining the size and composition of a board. Form follows function. The ability of a nonprofit board to help an organization reach its goals depends entirely on how decisions are made and by whom. So each organization needs to evaluate its own needs and priorities and build its board accordingly.

Recruiting a Stronger Board 2009 Board Source

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

The Board Building Cycle

Celebrate

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Building a Competent Board Three Principles to Keep In Mind

Every organization’s governing board will only be as effective as its individual members. The one question you need to answer is: How should we define the ideal mix of professional skills, backgrounds and experience, demographics, and other characteristics we should seek in our board members

Members of boards will respond only to the level of expectation persistently articulated to them by the organization and its leaders

A well-balanced and functioning board depends on the sustained hard work of the governance committee (aka nominating committee)

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Governance Committee—How Important Is It? (aka Development/Nominating Committee)

Key Responsibilities

Assess the board of directors to discover specific needs

Leadership gaps in experience, knowledge, etc.

Diversity of board

Develop a recruitment process around that assessment

Develop and oversee the board orientation process

Periodically monitor/review

Attendance, overall performance of board, identify training needs, etc.

Bylaws

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Board Building Cycle—Identify

Thinking about the challenges facing our organization, what characteristics, skills, experience, and backgrounds will we need on the board in the next 3-5 years?

What personal qualities are important for our board members to have?

What is the current composition of our board and what gaps do we need to fill?

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Board Building Cycle—Cultivate

Develop a board profile

What does your “dream team” board look like?

What kind of energy do you need?

What characteristics do you desire?

Cast a wide net and look at nontraditional sources

Create a pool of potential board members

Year round activity for this committee

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Board Building Cycle—Recruit

Create a board recruitment packet

Provide brief description of the organization, your mission, services and strategic direction

Engage prospects in conversations through interviews and sharing of expectations

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Materials to Share During Cultivation and Recruitment

• Annual Reports • Brochures/Newsletters • Board Roster and annual calendar • Program material • Board member job description/expectations • Committee descriptions

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Board Building Cycle—Orient

• Without orientation, board members never achieve their potential as contributing members of the team

• Solidifies initial relationship and helps with early engagement

• Should be done jointly by Executive Director/CEO and Board President before first board meeting

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Hold an orientation retreat for new and current board members

Could be a part of affiliate’s annual meeting

Make expectations clear early on

Consider board mentors to help answer questions and provide a friendly transition onto the board

Board Building Cycle—Orient

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

• Use board handbook to structure orientation • Bylaws • Organizational History • Covenant/Mission Focus Areas • Annual Report/Financials • Policies • Board Calendar

Board Building Cycle—Orient

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Challenges to Retention

Expectations not defined

Lack of commitment

Not engaged

Either under valued or under utilized

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

• Strong linkage to recruitment process • Clear expectations • Right mix of skill sets • Committed to the organization

• Get them engaged quickly • Orientation process • Consider assigning a “mentor” for first year

What’s the Recipe to Improve Retention

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

A Word About Turnover

Effective boards reframe turnover as “revitalization”

They tap veterans in myriad of ways. For example, mentors, coaches, task force members etc.

They intentionally focus time and attention to building relationships

They deliberately introduce promising prospects to committees, task forces, etc.

Doing so converts turnover to continuity

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

Board Resources

Board of Directors Home Page on My.Habitat

Board Learning Plan

Board Member Resources Collection

Links to Webinars/Recordings

http://my.habitat.org/kc/home/board

Board Source—HFHI Membership

Sign-up form www.boardsource.org/hfh

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue

• Board development is an on-going process and a major responsibility of the governance committee

• Retention issues can be addressed through a defined recruitment/orientation process

• Use the opportunity for “turnover” to revitalize the board.

Summary

Habitat for Humanity — Learning and Organizational Development – Learning Catalogue